The Darian DeVries era is off to a solid start for West Virginia.
Tucker DeVries, a Drake transfer who was a two-time Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year and is the Mountaineers coach’s son, scored 18 points on Monday to help West Virginia beat Robert Morris 87-59 in the season opener for both teams in Morgantown, W. Va.
Oklahoma State transfer Javon Small had 15 points and Toby Okani scored 13 for the Mountaineers, who shot 55 percent from the field.
DeVries scored eight points as the hosts raced out to a 21-0 lead and were never threatened. D.J. Smith, a Bowling Green transfer, scored the first points for Robert Morris on a jumper with 14:13 left in the first half.
Darian DeVries rotated nine players throughout the first half and West Virginia led 46-26 at the break. The Colonials did manage a late 7-0 run, but the Mountaineers scored 17 points off 10 turnovers to maintain the commanding lead.
West Virginia remained in control through the second half, with a layup by Amani Hansberry (nine points) providing a 75-47 lead with 7:47 remaining. Jonathan Powell (11 points) and KJ Tenner (10 points) were among five double-digit scorers for the Mountaineers.
Darian DeVries took over the West Virginia program after leading Drake to six consecutive 20-win seasons. Last year, West Virginia finished 9-23 overall and 4-14 in the Big 12 under interim coach Josh Eilert.
Gannon transfer Josh Omojafo led Robert Morris with 13 points. Kam Woods, who was part of NC State’s Final Four team last season, finished with seven points.
West Virginia leads the all-time series 20-2.
Robert Morris travels to face Delaware on Thursday, while the Mountaineers host Massachusetts on Friday.
–Field Level Media
