Sadler Leads West Virginia Past Niagara in Season Opener
Freshman Miles Sadler scored 16 points and had nine assists as West Virginia beat Niagara 91-46 in Morgantown on November 2.
West Virginia opened its season with a 91-46 win over Niagara on November 2, after freshman guard Miles Sadler led the Mountaineers with 16 points and nine assists. Sadler also had three steals, matching a team high, and was one of six West Virginia players to score in double figures.
Niagara started quickly, making five of its first seven field-goal attempts and taking a 13-5 lead. After the Purple Eagles added another three-pointer, West Virginia answered with a 21-0 run and took control of the game.
Brenen Lorient scored 13 points and grabbed five rebounds for West Virginia, while Martin Somerville added 12 points. Finley Bizjack and Javan Buchanan each had 11 points, and Mouhamed Sylla finished with 10 points, collected seven boards and recorded three steals. Niagara's top scorer was Logan Woods, with 12 points.
West Virginia used full-court pressure that disrupted Niagara after its strong start. The Purple Eagles shot 13 of 37 from the field after that opening stretch and made seven of 22 attempts in the second half. West Virginia had a 36-24 rebounding advantage and held Niagara without an offensive rebound.
The Mountaineers, who won 21 games last season, are in Ross Hodge’s second year as coach. West Virginia hosts Stetson on Friday, while Niagara’s next game is at home against Morgan State on Saturday.