WVU ahead Akok Akok rushed to hospital throughout WVU exhibition victory towards George Mason

MORGANTOWN — There have been stats and a few moments that even caught the WVU gamers unexpectedly Friday evening, in what turned out to be an 85-78 charity exhibition contained in the Coliseum by the Mountaineers towards George Mason.

However as WVU head coach Josh Eilert would say after the sport, there are some issues extra necessary than stats and the ultimate rating.

That was by no means extra evident than what occurred early within the second half when WVU ahead Akok Akok collapsed to the ground whereas making an attempt to return to the Mountaineers bench throughout a timeout.

“I by no means thought I must take care of a scenario like that,” Eilert mentioned. “It provides some perspective that that is only a basketball sport, however these are human lives we’re speaking about.”

Akok, a 6-foot-10 ahead who transferred on this season from Georgetown, fell to the bottom with 15:56 remaining within the second half and instantly tried to get again up. He couldn’t and fell flat on his again.

WVU trainers and medical personnel rushed to his facet.

At first, there was little motion earlier than Akok started to slowly transfer his arms and bend his legs. He was administered an IV on the courtroom earlier than he was positioned on a stretcher and rushed out of the world.

Akok was admitted to Ruby Memorial Hospital. Eilert mentioned after the sport the ahead was secure and responsive and that he would doubtless stay within the hospital in a single day for additional testing.

“He was texting us after the sport,” mentioned WVU ahead Quinn Slazinski, who completed with 21 factors and three 3-pointers off the bench. “He was telling us good sport and it was win. He was transferring round.”

BOX SCORE

WVU, taking part in in entrance of former head coach Bob Huggins, who was in attendance, got here again from a 43-33 deficit late within the first half to tug out the win.

Many elements went into that. WVU ahead Jesse Edwards bought in early foul bother and went your entire first half with no rebound, whereas Kerr Kriisa went your entire first half with out an help.

Alongside the best way, the Patriots hardly ever missed a shot or free throw, didn’t actually flip the ball over and held their very own on the boards.

“Credit score George Mason,” Eilert mentioned. “They got here in right here able to go, able to battle. It was a canine battle they usually took it proper to us. They actually challenged us on the defensive finish.”

WVU’s second half was a credit score to Edwards and Kriisa trying extra like themselves, whereas Slazinski and freshman Ofri Naveh offered a lot assist.

Edwards, a switch from Syracuse, completed with 21 factors and 7 rebounds.

Within the last three minutes, Edwards scored two and-one 3-point performs that took a slim 74-71 WVU lead into an 80-71 benefit with 2:08 remaining.

Kriisa completed with 11 factors, whereas Naveh’s spectacular drive down the center of the lane and dunk tied the sport at 59 with 10:29 remaining.

Naveh, a freshman from Israel completed with 9 factors.

Josiah Harris almost had a double-double with 12 factors and 9 rebounds.

“You possibly can say what you need in regards to the sport, however I’m tremendous pleased with my group,” Slazinski mentioned. “How we got here collectively, I’m pleased with my group. There’s stuff to wash up, however I can’t stress sufficient that I really like everybody on this group. Stuff like this may solely carry us nearer collectively.”