Rifle falls to No. 2 Mountaineers 4716-4651

November 20, 2012

University Relations

Jamie Foland
474-6807

The fourth-ranked Alaska Nanooks shot their second best score of the season but it was no match for the depth and consistency demonstrated by the visiting second-ranked West Virginia Mountaineers. WVU topped the Blue and Gold for the second time in as many days, 4716-4651, on Sunday afternoon in the Patty Center Gymnasium.

Alaska was outshot 2346-2312 in the smallbore portion of the day down at the E .F. Horton Rifle Range before they moved upstairs to the Patty Center Gymnasium, where they were beaten 2370-2339 in air rifle.

"WVU had a great weekend and we struggled a little today but have some good things to take away from the weekend," head coach Dan Jordan said. "It will make us a better team in the long run."

The Mountaineers Petra Zublasing, the reigning 2012 NCAA individual air rifle champion, was the match leader in both disciplines for the second straight day, shooting for 593 in smallbore and 596 in air gun.

WVU shooters put up six of the top seven scores in air gun and Alaska's Mike Liuzza led the home team with a 588. Cole Bures and Tim Sherry put up matching 584's and Ryan Anderson and Mats Eriksson was close behind with a 583 and a 582, respectively.

For air rifle, Liuzza led the Nanooks and was fifth best again compiling a 581 that was matched by Anderson. Sherry (575), Bures (575) and Butler (574) rounded out the scoring squad.

With the loss, the Nanooks fall to 2-3 on the season and 6-8 agaimst the Mountaineers all-time.

The weekend matches completed the first half of their 2012-13 schedule. The Nanooks are idle and will train into the New Year, when they will reconvene their competitive schedule at Murray State on Jan. 10.

"We have the talent and we have the skill, now we just need the attitude and to believe in ourselves."