INSTITUTE, W.Va. - The Glenville State Men's Basketball team took control Wednesday (Jan. 21) night by doing the little things that win games, using rebounding, pace, and a dominant second half to secure an 88–71 Mountain East Conference victory over West Virginia State at the Walker Convocation Center. Glenville controlled and won the rebounding battle from start to finish, turning stops into offense and wearing down West Virginia State as the game went on. With the win, the Pioneers improved to (10-7) overall and (5-5) in the MEC.
First Half
The Pioneers settled in early and began asserting themselves physically, especially on the glass. While the Yellow Jackets struck first, Glenville quickly responded by slowing the pace and attacking the paint. Elijah Redfern caught fire early and never cooled off, consistently getting downhill and scoring through contact. By halftime, it was clear he was "cooking," as he found success in transition, in the lane, and from the perimeter. Glenville led for most of the half, but West Virginia State stayed within reach thanks to a deep buzzer-beating three from the logo that cut the deficit to 39–36 at the break, despite Glenville controlling much of the opening 20 minutes.
Second Half
The difference showed immediately after halftime. Glenville came out aggressive, winning the rebounding battle on both ends and turning second chances into points. Redfern continued to score at will, while Prince Mosengo and Ammar Maxwell punished the Yellow Jackets inside as the lead slowly grew. Midway through the half, the Pioneers broke the game open with a run fueled by defense and rebounding. Stops turned into fast-break opportunities, and Glenville stretched the lead to double digits for good.
One of the night's most impressive efforts came from point guard Jalen Knott, who led the team with 11 rebounds, controlling the tempo while cleaning the glass from the guard spot. His presence allowed Glenville to push the pace and keep West Virginia State on its heels.
Final Stats
West Virginia State
- Norris Bourne Jr.: 16 points, 4 three-pointers
- Trey Harris: 15 points, 6 rebounds
- Andrew Shull: 14 points, 4 three-pointers
- Jaylen Subject: 11 points, 7 rebounds
Glenville State
Up Next For The Pioneers
The Pioneers are set to travel to Concord on Saturday (Jan. 24). Tip is currently set at 4 p.m.
