11.16.06.2

By Mike Whiteford
Charleston Gazette

Until the game’s final few minutes, the University of Charleston offered few suggestions that a big season is in the offing.

The Golden Eagles turned the ball over in each of their first two possessions, missed 10 of their first 12 shots, struggled at the foul line and lost one of their best players, Rob Strickland, who picked up a technical and an ejection for shoving an opponent.

But once they began making clutch plays and hitting key free throws, the Golden Eagles earned plaudits from their coach and escaped with an 84-80 season-opening victory over Lock Haven (Pa.) University Wednesday night at Eddie King Gym. A crowd of 300 attended.

The victory, however, was not secure until Austin Weatherington sank two foul shots with 4.3 seconds left. Weatherington’s free throws capped a succession of essential UC baskets and defensive stops in the final minutes.

With 3:53 remaining, the Eagles found themselves in a 74-all tie and needed help from their freshmen, as well as their veterans, to survive a Lock Haven team that posted a 4-23 record last year as a member of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.

“That was a very losable game that was won by a team that played together down the stretch,’’ said UC coach Greg White. “I know what I’m going to get from my veteran players, but I like my newcomers. Those guys are going to be really, really good players.’’

White, in fact, seemed to enjoy seeing his players face a few crises down the stretch.
“A game like this serves you far better than a 20-point win,’’ he said. “We knew it would not be an easy win.’’
“In the second half,’’ said junior guard Marquis Brooks, “we played as a team.’’
Weatherington led the scoring with 19 points, including a 6-for-6 effort at the free-throw line, Brooks added 17 and Strickland 12. Dustin Kinney topped all rebounders with 15.

After a season in which they finished 18-11 overall and 11-7 in the West Virginia Conference, the Golden Eagles are a nice blend of veterans and freshmen.

Three of Wednesday’s starters, Strickland, Weatherington and Brooks, started last year, and a fourth starter, Dustin Kinney, played a vital role off the bench last year. UC’s fifth starter Wednesday was freshman Warren Wallace, a 6-foot-3 guard. Two other freshmen, 6-4 guard John White and 6-6 forward Ibrahim Marone, contributed significantly.

Wallace and White finished with 10 points each and Marone totaled nine, including a 4-for-5 night from the field. Two of Marone’s late baskets broke ties, giving UC a 72-70 lead with 4:18 remaining and a 76-74 edge with 1:38 left.

“Our newcomers are integral parts of what we’re doing,’’ said White. “They all made big plays at the end, whether it be stops, free throws or big shots. Marone was a man-child. He was taking it strong. There was no doubt he was going to score down there. John White played a very good game, and I thought Warren played pretty daggone well.’’

Lock Haven’s Billy Arre, a first-team All-PSAC selection last year, led all scorers with 28 points on 12-of-18 shooting. Last year, UC won at Lock Haven 78-73.