West Virginia crushes NCCU as Jonathan Powell shines with 17 points

In Morgantown, West Virginia, on December 10, 2024, the West Virginia Mountaineers played against the North Carolina Central Eagles in a decisive basketball game, which ended with a score of 79-45 in favor of the Mountaineers. Despite being short-handed due to the absence of Tucker DeVries, who was sidelined indefinitely with an upper body injury, West Virginia displayed resilience and strong shooting, managing to score 15 three-pointers throughout the match. Freshman Jonathan Powell emerged as a standout player, achieving a season-high of 17 points. He, along with Joseph Yesufu, who contributed 14 points, shared the spotlight as they both made four three-pointers each. Their contributions were pivotal in establishing a commanding lead, particularly in the first half where West Virginia managed to build up a significant advantage by halftime, leading 36-18. In the closing moments of the first half, Yesufu played a crucial role in a 13-3 scoring run, which helped solidify their lead. As the second half commenced, Javon Small helped the Mountaineers extend their lead further with a 9-0 scoring streak. Small finished the game with 12 points on 4-of-12 shooting, showcasing the depth of the West Virginia squad in the absence of their key player. Amani Hansberry also contributed with seven points and 12 rebounds. On the other hand, Isaac Parson led the scoring for the NCCU Eagles, finishing the game with 16 points. Despite his efforts, standout player Po’Boigh King struggled significantly, missing all seven of his field-goal attempts. This game marks West Virginia's continued home stand, with four games taking place over 16 days. The Mountaineers will face Bethune-Cookman next, while NCCU will be heading to Longwood for their next match. The strong performance by West Virginia indicates their ability to adapt and maintain competitive play even in the face of injuries, highlighting the team's resilience and depth as they move forward in the season.