West Virginia University’s men’s basketball team suffered a second consecutive defeat at the Charleston Classic, falling to Xavier University 78-68 on March 10, 2024. The Musketeers demonstrated impressive shooting prowess, tying their season high with 16 three-pointers and capitalizing on the Mountaineers’ defensive lapses.
In the opening half, West Virginia initially held an eight-point lead but saw it vanish as Xavier’s offensive rhythm took hold. The Musketeers, shooting 8 of 13 from beyond the arc in the first half, closed out the period with a 7-0 run, leading 36-28 at halftime. “We allowed them to establish a comfort zone and a rhythm offensively,” said WVU head coach Ross Hodge during his postgame radio show.
Xavier maintained their momentum in the second half, consistently responding to any West Virginia attempts to narrow the gap. Key contributions came from Jovan Milicevic, who scored 21 points, and Tre Carroll, who added 17 points, both showcasing their shooting skills and keeping the Musketeers in control throughout the game.
WVU’s defensive struggles were evident, as they failed to apply sufficient pressure and allowed Xavier to move the ball freely. Hodge remarked, “When they found the open man, they didn’t miss,” emphasizing the Mountaineers’ inability to string together defensive stops. The Musketeers added another eight three-pointers in the second half, solidifying their lead and never trailing after halftime.
Xavier’s 16 three-pointers matched the record for the most ever made against West Virginia, demonstrating a stark contrast to the Mountaineers’ previous defensive reputation, which ranked fourth in the nation for points allowed. In their earlier games, WVU had successfully limited opponents to under 40% shooting, but both Xavier and Clemson managed to surpass that mark comfortably.
Despite holding a physical advantage inside, West Virginia struggled to capitalize on it. The Mountaineers recorded a 13-2 edge in second-chance points but failed to convert their opportunities effectively. Harlan Obioha, who was expected to dominate in the paint, was limited to just three points and two rebounds during the matchup.
“That’s where the disappointment comes on my end,” Hodge noted. “We missed 33 shots and really only had three offensive rebounds.” This inability to convert on their physical advantages ultimately proved costly against a skilled Xavier squad.
The lone bright spot for West Virginia was the performance of Trey Eaglestaff, who scored a season-high 20 points while overcoming an early-season slump. Despite struggling from three-point range, going 0 for 5, Eaglestaff shot 8 of 15 from the field, adding five rebounds and four assists. “He was aggressive and got downhill,” Hodge praised.
Honor Huff contributed significantly, scoring all of his 16 points in the second half, while Brenen Lorient added 11 points to the tally. Following their disappointing showing in Charleston, West Virginia will take a week off before hosting Mercyhurst at the Hope Coliseum on March 17, 2024.
As the Mountaineers regroup, they will need to address their defensive deficiencies and regain the form that allowed them to start the season with five consecutive wins. With their reputation on the line, the upcoming matchup will serve as a crucial opportunity for West Virginia to bounce back and prove their mettle.
