Indiana, PA -- West Virginia Wesleyan Men's Basketball had a tough task ahead of them on Friday Night, taking on national powerhouse IUP in Nick Patella's first game as new head coach. The Bobcats were up to the task early, shooting 50% from the field in the first half and taking a 31-25 lead into the locker room with them at the break. However, the Crimson Hawks showed their strength in the second half, running away with the game and grabbing the victory by the score of 75-52. It was both teams' first game of the season.

All of the bright spots for Wesleyan came in the first half. Junior Ross Young and Sophomore Daylin Lee came out of the gates hot, putting in a game-high ten and eight points respectively in the first half. None of that momentum translated to the second half, and turnovers got the best of the Bobcats. It's hard to win a game turning the ball over 27 times, and they were out-rebounded by eleven.

IUP was the more physical team, and they got an outstanding shooting performance from their Sophomore Guard Armoni Foster. He scored a game-high 21 points, and shot four of eight on three-pointers. Both teams were near equal in three-point and free-throw shooting, the difference in the game was IUP's ability to take advantage of Wesleyan turnovers in the second half. 

For the Bobcats, Young finished with twelve points, and Lee with ten. Lee was also the leader in rebounds with five, and Luka Petrovic led the team with five assists. Four Crimson Hawks reached double-digit points, including Foster and Dave Morris. From the point guard spot, Morris put in fifteen points and five assists. 

It was only the first game of the season, and they were facing the #11 ranked team in the country, but Coach Patella will certainly reiterate the importance of ball control to his team after this one. The potential of this team was easily seen in the first half, controlling the game against a national contender, but mistakes will need to be cleaned up before the wins will pile up for the Bobcats. They have another tough test on Saturday, taking on Pitt-Johnstown at 8 PM in the same building at IUP. The Mountain Cats were 17-13 last year, and are a well-coached team that will also take advantage of mistakes. The Bobcats have almost a full 24-hours to prepare, and with crisp focus and good ball control, can return to Buckhannon with a win from the first weekend of the season.