College Basketball: WVU Tech Women open with a win over Ohio Christian

Cadence Stewart paces the Golden Bears with 18 points, six assists and six rebounds

You can't win all of your regular season games if you don't win the first one.

WVU Tech women's basketball head coach Kenny Osborne has no delusions of grandeur about this season, but he was pleased with the opening night performance for the Golden Bears.

Sparked by a strong third quarter, WVU Tech walked away with an 82-74 win over former River States Conference foe, Ohio Christian Saturday at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center.

After the two teams battled to a 43-43 tie over the first two quarters, the Golden Bears clamped down defensively to separate the game in the second half.

While WVU Tech was doing work shutting down the visitors, they erupted offensively on a 9-1 run which led to a 64-53 lead after three quarters of play.

Ohio Christian started quick in the final period trimming the Tech advantage back to 65-60, but the Trailblazers could get no closer.

Former Greenbrier East all-stater Cadence Stewart led the Golden Bears with 18 points, scoring 16 in the opening half. Stewart was perfect on four tries from behind the arc, while handing out six assists and grabbing six rebounds.

Woodrow Wilson product Liz Cadle added 13 points on 6-for-8 shooting. Avery Lucas and Halle Crouse had 11 points each.

WVU Tech (1-0) will hosts Carolina University Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.

Coach Osborne talked about the opening night victory.