MEN'S BASKETBALL: THRILLING DEBUT

CU FALLS IN OT IN McBRIDE'S FIRST GAME AS HEAD COACH

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For fans of the Concord men's basketball team, Friday night's season opener against WVU Tech was going to be exciting, no matter what.

Then there was the game. 

Friday marked the head coaching debut of Kent McBride, a former star player at CU under legendary coach Steve Cox.  McBride has pledged to bring a high-intensity, up-tempo style to his alma mater.

McBride's first game provided plenty of thrills, but not the outcome CU hoped for.  The Mountain Lions dropped an overtime final to WVU Tech, 103-96, in front of a raucous, near-capacity crowd at the Carter Center.

Concord overcame a 91-84 deficit with less than a minute left to force overtime.  Corey Neeley sank a three-point shot with :50 left, and after a Golden Bear free throw, Damien Tunstalle's jumper drew CU within 92-89 with :41 to go.  Neeley struck again, draining another three-pointer with :10 remaining to move the contest into OT.

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Neeley led all scorers with 34 points, while adding five assists and five rebounds. 

Cory Willard chipped in 17 points and Tunstalle 13.  Mike Boyd and Natwan Young contributed 12 points apiece.

Brandon Burgraff led the visiting Golden Bears with 27 points.

BOXSCORE/PLAY-BY-PLAY

Up next for Concord (0-1) is its first WVIAC game of the season.  The Mountain Lions will host West Virginia State on Wednesday, November 16, with tipoff scheduled for 7:30 pm at the Carter Center.




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