GLENVILLE, W.Va.– The West Virginia Wesleyan (2-24, 1-19) men’s basketball dropped a 79-69 road contest to the Glenville State Pioneers (11-13, 8-12) on Saturday inside the Waco Center. Tommie Pope’s 18 points led the Bobcats.
 
Leaders for WVWC
Pope shot 8-17 from the floor (47.1%) on his way to 18 points. Pope added four rebounds and a pair of steals to his final line. After a quiet first half, Braeden McGrew scored 13 second half points to finish the afternoon with 16 points and a team-high eight rebounds.
 
Leaders for GSC
Adrian Scarborough was the top performer for the Pioneers scoring 21 points. Scarborough made eight field goals on nine attempts in the contest. In addition, Scarborough ripped down 16 rebounds to secure a double-double. The MEC’s leading scorer, John Williams, tallied 24 points and nine rebounds for the Pioneers.
 
Inside the First Half
The Pioneers stifled the Bobcats early, starting on a 14-0 run. Pope got the scoring started after he got out in transition and finished a driving layup with 12:28 in the opening half. Pope trimmed the lead to single digits at the 10:34 mark converting a tough layup in the paint. 
 
Anthony Craven Jr. made it 29-20 after driving hard to the rim and drawing a foul after converting the attempt. The Pioneers made seven threes in the first half to help build a 45-31 lead heading into the intermission. Pope led the ‘Cats with eight first half points.
 
Inside the Second Half
The Bobcats outscored the Pioneers 10-5 before the first media timeout. Craven Jr. drove the lane and finished a fadeaway jumper to make it a 50-41 game. At the 11:34 mark, Craven Jr. caught the ball on the right-wing late in the shot clock. Craven Jr. created separation from the Pioneer defender and swished a deep three to make it 56-48. The Pioneers went on an 11-4 run before McGrew hit a transition three with 5:26 left. McGrew made a layup the following possession to bring the score back to 10 points.
 
Pope hit a pair of free throws with 33 seconds remaining to bring it back to single digits. However, the Bobcats would not pull any closer, with the Pioneers taking the contest 79-69.
 
Up Next
The Bobcats host the Fairmont State Fighting Falcons on Wednesday. Tip-off is set for 7:30. p.m.