The University Hawks had already won two in a row (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 19.5 points), and they went ahead and made it three on Tuesday. They simply couldn't be stopped as they easily beat Buckhannon-Upshur 71-38 at home. Given University's advantage in MaxPreps' West Virginia basketball rankings (they are ranked 18th, while the Buccaneers are ranked 75th), the result wasn't entirely unexpected.
University's win was a true team effort, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Ella Simpson, who scored 12 points along with eight rebounds and five assists. Simpson is on a roll when it comes to rebounds, as she's now pulled down eight or more in the last five games she's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Hannah Stemple, who scored 17 points along with three steals.
Buckhannon-Upshur's loss came despite a true team effort from the offense, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Alyssa Abel, who scored eight points along with seven rebounds and two steals. Another player making a difference was Brooklyn Smith, who scored nine points.
University's victory bumped their record up to 7-8. As for Buckhannon-Upshur, their loss was their seventh straight on the road dating back to last season, which dropped their record down to 2-9.
University will challenge the Lions at 5:30 p.m. on Friday. As for Buckhannon-Upshur, they will look to defend their home court on Saturday against the Eagles at 3:00 p.m. Hopefully Robert C. Byrd focused on turnovers this week since the team gave up 13 on Thursday.
