Box Score Morgantown, W. Va. (November 7, 2022)—Mount St. Mary's fought hard, but a late first-half run was the difference in a 76-58 loss at West Virginia in the season opener on Monday night.  Jalen Benjamin led the Mount with 18 points while Dakota Leffew chipped in 12 in the game.

It was a hard-fought opening part of the first half with the game tied at 10-10 midway through.  Mount newcomers Xavier Lipscomb, who transferred to the Mount from Radford, and George Tinsley, a Binghamton transfer, each hit a three-pointer for their first Mount points.

After a WVU three-pointer, Jefferson connected on a pair of free throws to pull the Mount within 13-12 with 7:41 left in the half. West Virginia countered with a 15-to-0 run to take a 28-12 advantage that was capped by a Mohamed Wague putback.  Benjamin ended the WVU surge with a deep three-pointer, but WVU went to the locker room with a 30-to-18 advantage.

In the second half, the Mount kept within striking distance, making it a 12-point game, 64-52, on a Leffew jumper.  The Mount had a chance to cut into the deficit again, but Benjamin just missed a three-pointer from the left corner.  WVU was able to close out the game for the 76-58 win.

Benjamin had a game-high 18 points, connecting on 7-of-10 at the foul line.  Lefew finished 5-of-12 from the field for his 12 points while Malik Jefferson had eight points and seven boards.  Emmitt Matthews, Jr., led WVU with 15 points, seven rebounds and five assists while Tre Mitchell scored 13 points in 14 minutes off the bench.

The Mount connected on 10-of-21 (.476) from three-point range in the game, but shot just 32.7 percent overall.  WVU finished the game shooting 49.1 percent while holding a 45-to-28 edge on the boards.
Mount St. Mary's returns to the court on Friday, November 11, with a 7:00 p.m. road matchup with Coppin State.

GAME NOTES:  This is the fifth time the Mount has played West Virginia in the season opener….WVU is now 6-0 all-time against the Mount.