Vikings Can't Hold Off Mountaineers, Fall 53-43

Dec. 6, 2008

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) -- Da'Sean Butler scored 18 points to lead West Virginia to a 53-43 win over Cleveland State on Saturday.

Cleveland State (5-4) forced 11 first-half turnovers to help claim a 21-14 lead. The Vikings held a 25-21 lead at halftime.

But West Virginia (6-1) cut down on their mistakes in the second half, turning the ball over just three times and forced 13 Cleveland State turnovers. The Vikings made only six field goals in the second half.

The Mountaineers surged to a 30-28 lead with 17:15 left in the game on a 3-pointer by Jonnie West. Devin Ebanks, who finished with 10 points and grabbed 17 rebounds, scored on a dunk with 11:55 remaining to put the Mountaineers ahead by seven points.

Da'Sean Butler's jumper and two free throws by Kevin Jones to give West Virginia its largest lead of the half at 52-36 with 1:58 remaining.

West Virginia was playing without the services of starting point guard Joe Mazzulla, who missed the game with a left shoulder contusion suffered in Wednesday's win over Ole Miss.

Norris Cole scored 12 points for Cleveland State.

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