WEST CHESTER, Pa. – The West Chester University men's basketball held an opponent under 38 points for the first time since 1991 on Saturday, as the Golden Rams kicked off Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) play with an 88-37 dismantling of PSAC West representative Edinboro University inside the Hollinger Field House.
THE BASICS
Final Score: West Chester 88, Edinboro 37
Location: Hollinger Field House – West Chester, Pa.
Records: West Chester 4-3 overall (1-0 PSAC), Edinboro 2-3 overall (0-1 PSAC)
HOW IT HAPPENED
- It was all West Chester from the opening tip on Saturday, as the visitors were unable to reach double-digits until nearly 14 minutes had elapsed in the first half. The Golden Rams' 37-point cushion (54-17) to close out the first half was the largest for the home team through the first 20 minutes of action.
- Although the Golden Rams did score 20 less points in the second stanza, West Chester was still able to hold a 14-point scoring advantage in the final 20 minutes of action to cruise to the 41-point victory.
WEST CHESTER RUNDOWN
- The visitor's 36 points were the fewest scored against the Golden Rams in the last 27 years, when Eastern only managed to put up 36 points in a 52-36 loss back in November of 1991.
- West Chester held the Fighting Scots to 19% (5-of-26) shooting in the first half, and followed that up by allowing Edinboro to convert on just seven of its 30 attempts in the second half (23%). EU's 21.4% shooting from the floor on Saturday was the lowest by a West Chester opponent in the modern era, and the Fighting Scots' 11.8% (4-of-34) shooting from down town marked the worst total by a WCU opponent since Cheyney only converted on 10% of its deep balls last January.
- Edinboro's 34 attempts from three-point land were the most by a West Chester opponent since February 21, 2018 when Shippensburg chucked up 40 long balls in a 78-59 victory over West Chester at home.
- Senior Frank Rokins (PLAINFIELD, N.J./ST. MARY'S) notched his second straight (third overall) double-double with a game-high 17 points and 11 boards, while fellow senior Jackson Hyland (AVONDALE, PA./KENNETT) added 11 points in 26 minutes.
- Appearing in his second game back from injury, senior Matt Penecale (JENKINTOWN, PA./ABINGTON) put up nine points and handed out a game-high seven assists in the victory. Penecale's seven helpers were the most for the point guard since February of last season, and Tuesday's assist total pushes Penecale to third on WCU's all-time career assists list with 407 – just three behind Joe Meade (1997-01) for second place and 46 dimes back from tying Ricky Hicks (1987-91) for the No. 1 spot all-time.
- Off the bench, sophomore Colin Daly (HAVERTOWN, PA./ARCHBISHOP CARROLL) chipped in a career-high 12 points for the Golden Rams, while junior Malik Jackson's (LANSDOWNE, PA./PENN WOOD) eight points on Saturday brought the guard just 23 points away from 1,000 points for his career.
- All 15 members of the Golden Rams saw action on Saturday.
FIGHTING SCOTS STATS
- Jaryn Simpson was the lone Edinboro player to score in double-figures, as he put up 12 points despite going 0-for-7 from long range. Simpson was also high-man for EU with three assists and three steals in 37 minutes played.
- Alex Jay paced the visitors with seven rebounds on Saturday.
- Edinboro was outrebounded 49-36 in the game and committed 22 turnovers while only forcing 12 from its opponents.
UP NEXT
- West Chester returns to the Hollinger Field House tomorrow (Dec. 2) to host PSAC West representative California (Pa.) in a contest scheduled to tip at 3:00 p.m.
