WVU Bench Comes Alive to Help Clinch Sweet Sixteen Berth

...And there you have it. 

As Jonnie West (yep, that's Jerry's kid) steps onto the court with about a minute remaining, the crowd, clad mostly in old gold and blue, was on its feet. 

Coach Bob Huggins had come home to Morgantown to beat Duke for the first time in WVU history and the first time in his career.  Thus, claiming the Mountaineers as one of the sweetest 16 teams in the country.

This being the day before (what many people incorrectly celebrate as a religious holiday) Easter Sunday, I was happy just be able to sit back and watch the whole first half of the game with no interruptions. 

It was a great day and I knew it would be a great game.  Until it started.  Yes, WVU scored the first four points in the game.  However, Duke went on a 12-0 run immediately after.

The day wasn't getting any better for fans of WVU.

As the game progressed, Duke would stay alive to conquer the first half.  With enormous help from the officiating crew, the Blue Devils would take a six point lead into the locker room at halftime.

As normal, my fiance would have something for me to do.  So, at halftime I completed my assigned tasks, just in time to catch the start of the second half, on the radio in my truck. 

While the start of the second half went much like the first, I was still hopeful of a WVU victory.

With Duke up by seven, I had to make a stop for some Peeps at the local Rite Aid.  I took my time and purchased a few other items of sweet and finally got back to the game.

Much to my stupefaction,  WVU was now up by two, and I had missed it all.

I continued my journey to a cookout/"Easter" egg hunt with a good presentiment about the outcome of this second round, tournament  match-up.  I arrived at the host's home and went straight to the television, not neglecting the brief handshakes and socializing on my way down the hall.

I was able to watch Joe Alexander have a tremendous second half and continue watching the explosive effort of Joe Mazzula.  In tandem, these two ball players showed the heart of a winner.

I was excited to see the WVU bench contribute so much to this victory.  Mazzula himself had 13 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists.  Not to mention the amazing performances by Jamie Smalligan, John Flowers and Cam Thoroughman, who has averaged 5.6 minutes of play for the entire season.

Therefore, the day that started as a good day, finally got better, as the Mountaineers went on to a 73-67 victory over the Duke Blue Devils and claimed a spot on the court in Phoenix for the "Sweet Sixteen" tournament.

A team once identified as a "Cinderella Team" has now proven that they have the right to be called, "The Contender".

For the folks at Bleacherreport.com, I'll take my t-shirt in a double XL.