Player of the Game - Seton Hall

Kevin Pittsnogle regained his scoring touch, but it wasn't enought to prevent West Virginia's 71-64 lackluster loss to Seton Hall.

Pittsnogle scored 24 points, and was the only Mountaineer to display any semblance of touch from long range as West Virginia laid an egg on the road against the Pirates. His 4-9 performance from three-point range accounted for half of WVU's successful long-range tries on the night. He also added six rebounds, four blocked shots and a steal on the evening.

NET BURNERS

For Seton Hall the story of the game was turnover avoidance. The Pirates, not noted for protecting the basketball, yielded just seven turnovers on the evening. The biggest reason for that was the exhaustion of the Mountaineer defense, which provided about as much resistance to Seton Hall ballhandlers as the Polish did against the German army in 1939.

As good as West Virginia is in the closing minutes when it has the lead, it was that bad while trailing the Pirates. WVU wasted at least 40 seconds in the final three minutes while trying to set up plays -- time that it sorely needed as it attempted to rally. The most egregious possession came with WVU trailing by six, as three aimless passes and several dribbles 25 feet from the basket allowed a full 10 seconds to run off the clock with no pressure on the Seton Hall defense.

Mike Gansey, displaying the obvious symptoms of fatigue, still managed to provide a few sparks. Gansey was WVU's sole force on the offensive boards as he twice converted on second chances to help keep the Mountaineers in the game in the second half. He finished with 14 points and nine rebounds, just missing his second consecutive double-double.

Game Story