Youngstown State guard Jelani Simmons (2) drives the basket and is fouled by West Virginia forward Logan Routt (31) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, in Morgantown, W.Va. (AP Photo/Raymond Thompson)

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) James “Beetle” Bolden and Esa Ahmad each scored 15 points to lead West Virginia over Youngstown State, 106-72, on Saturday.

It took no time at all for the offense to get started for the Mountaineers (5-2), as Bolden scored 11 points in the first five minutes, leading WVU on a 16-5 opening run.

While Youngstown State (3-6) remained solid shooting the ball at times, it relied too much on pulling up beyond the arc. Of 69 shot attempts, 36 were of the 3-point variety. The Penguins made just nine of them.

Sagaba Konate returned to the Mountaineers lineup after missing their 92-78 win over Rider on Wednesday with 14 points, nine rebounds and three blocks.

Lamont West, Wesley Harris and Brandon Knapper all scored 10 points for WVU. It was a career high for Knapper.

West Virginia head coach Bob Huggins earned his 850th career victory.

Garrett Covington led the Penguins with 20 points. Naz Bohannon added 10 rebounds.

BIG PICTURE

Youngstown State: The Penguins rely way too much on the 3-point shot. Youngstown State shot 52 percent of its field goals from beyond the arc, but that only accounted for 38 percent of its scoring.

West Virginia: The Mountaineers now head into the meat of their nonconference schedule with meetings against Florida and archrival Pitt. WVU has shot over 50 percent in five of their last eight halves.

UP NEXT

Youngstown State: The Penguins return home to face Central Michigan on Tuesday.

West Virginia: The Mountaineers head to Madison Square Garden to face Florida in the Jimmy V Classic on Tuesday.