From staff reports
For The Register-Herald
PIKEVILLE, Ky. — Paul Wright wasn’t all of Mountain State’s offense. But he was half of it. The senior dropped in 36 points in the Cougars’ 72-66 win over Pikeville Tuesday night.
“They were playing us a zone and he was hitting the open shots,” MSU coach Bob Bolen said. “He was getting open looks and he knocked them down.”
Wright was 13-of-30 from the floor, including 6-of-17 from three-point range. He had five rebounds and three assists.
Ralph Legg was the only other Cougar in double figures with 15 points.
The Cougars improved to 8-1 while Pikeville saw its three-game win streak end. The Bears are now 3-7.
As expected, this one was a little tougher than the 85-47 win MSU had over the Bears at the Raleigh Armory earlier this month.
“They had their leading scorer back (Paul Frazier, who finished with 19) and they played a great game,” Bolen said. “I really have to give them credit. They pushed us to the brink. We were fortunate that we were able to make a few plays at the end that allowed us to win this game.”
Reigning Mid-South Region player of the week Donnell Dobbins led the Bears with 33 points, including seven three-pointers. He had five in the first half as Pikeville took a 32-28 halftime lead.
“Great shooting night,” Bolen said of Dobbins. “We helped out a little better in the second half and did a better job defending (Pikeville).”
It was Mountain State’s third win over a Mid-South region team this season.
The Cougars won the battle of the boards 44-42, led by Ermin Tarcin’s nine rebounds.
MSU travels to Union (Tenn.) University Saturday to take on the team that is quickly replacing Barber-Scotia as its top rival.
Last season, Union handed MSU its only two regular-season losses and has won the last three meetings between the two teams.
“We’ll have to play a great game to compete with Union,” Bolen said. “They’re an outstanding team in every respect.”
That game is scheduled to tip at 5 p.m. Saturday.
MSU 66, PIKEVILLE COLLEGE 59
MOUNTAIN STATE UNIVERSITY (8-1)
Ralph Legg 5-12 2-3 15, Tyrice Watkins 2-4 0-0 4, Adron Marshall 3-6 0-1 6, Paul Wright 13-30 4-4 36, Yusuf Baker 1-5 1-4 3, Jarvis Jackson 0-1 0-2 0, Renardo Dixon 1-3 0-2 3, Petroslav Zafirov 1-2 0-0 6, Ermic Tarcin 0-3 2-2. Totals 26-66 10-18 66.
PIKEVILLE COLLEGE (3-7)
Rob Walker 1-3 2-2 4, Donald Thomas 3-11 2-2 8, Donnel Dobbins 10-22 6-8 33, Paul Frazier 7-17 2-7 16, Brad Lowe 0-5, 1-2 1, Robbie Spears 1-1 0-1 2, Ben Valentine 0-0, 0-0 0, Troy Williams 0-0, 0-0 2. Totals 22-59 15-24 59.
Halftime—Pikeville 32-28. 3-Point Goals—MSU 10-36 (Legg 3-8, Watkings 0-2, Marshal 0-2, Wright 6-17, Baker 0-1, Jackson 0-2, Dixon 1-2, Zafirov 0-0, Tarcin 2-2,Stovall 1-1), Pikeville College 7-22 (Walker 0-0, Thomas 0-3, Dobbins 7-13, Frazier 0-2, Lowe 0-4, Spears 0-0, Valentine 0-0, Williams 0-0). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—MSU 44 (Legg 3, Watkins 6, Marshall 2, Wright 5, Baker 7, Jackson 2, Dixon 8, Tarcin 9), Pikeville 42 (Walker 11, Thomas 6, Dobbins 7, Frazier 7, Lowe 5, Spears 5). Assists—MSU 17 (Marshall 6), Pikeville 5 (Thomas 2). Total Fouls—MSU 21, Pikeville 17. Attendance—600.
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