Having lost 10 of the last 11 games, West Virginia State needed a victory in the worst way. It was a good night for winless-in-league Urbana to come to Institute.
The Yellow Jackets put in a workmanlike performance Thursday night at the Walker Convocation Center, downing the Blue Knights 86-71.
It wasn't an overwhelming win, but it wasn't a squeaker. After a 21-4 run in late in the second half, State (6-14, 4-11 Mountain East Conference) led 47-28 and kept a double-digit lead the rest of the way.
It was a relatively easy win, but the emphasis is on the latter word. The Jackets needed it.
So did their coach, Bryan Poore.
"When you make shots, you look good, and tonight we made some shots," Poore said. "We got some transition shots and got some easy ones. Frank Webb getting to the rim and getting you a couple of layups kind of helps your confidence a little bit."
Webb scored 14 points, topped on his team only by Keith Harris' 17 points and 11 rebounds. Webb also had five assists, though the freshman from Baltimore had six turnovers.
"He's really kind of come on in the second half of the season," Poore said. "He's got the size [6-foot-3, 190 pounds] - it shouldn't be deceivingly now, but he's deceivingly quick and fast. We're really excited to have him for three more years."
Markee Mazcyk had 12 points and seven assists for the Jackets and Herbert Hoover product Cody Morris finished with 10 points.
Urbana (1-19, 0-15) only led once, at 3-2. The Blue Knights tied it at 10, but Terrance Jenkins' only field goal broke that tie and gave the Jackets the lead for good.
The scoring was spread around during the Jackets' big run later in the half, but it was punctuated by Harris' 3-point goal. The 6-6 junior gave the Jackets that 47-28 lead, which led to a 49-35 halftime advantage.
"Keith I thought tonight was probably was his best performance overall," Poore said. "And that's what we've been looking for him to do, get to the rim and rebound."
The Blue Knights' final rally cut the State lead to 53-42, but Tyrie Elliott put an end to that with two quick 3-pointers, followed by a Harris basket that made it 61-42. The lead stayed at least 12 points the rest of the way.
State controlled the boards, leading 48-32, including 38 defensive rebounds. The Blue Knights were held to 38.6 percent shooting.
"I think that's kind of been our weak point, defense," Poore said, "Tonight we were playing man. Struggled a little bit, got in a little bit of foul trouble, but then we went 2-3 zone and it kind of worked. So we kind of stuck with it the rest of the game.
"Their two big guys inside were really good, No. 1 [Jahmere Howze] and No. 4 [Justin Johnson]. The zone kind of neutralized them a little bit."
Urbana's Carlas Jackson led all scorers with 20 points.
State stays home for a 4 p.m. game Saturday against the MEC's other Ohio team, Notre Dame College.