Aldridge dropped 40 points on the Senators Tuesday night.

“I felt like there was no one on their team that could guard me,” Aldridge said after the game. “I was in a good rhythm tonight and it’s a good way for me to start out the season.”

The Cougars started the game off with a 16-0 run over Davis & Elkins College (Division II).

Fellow senior captain Andrew Lee added 19 points and Cincinnati transfer Alvin Mitchell had 15.

The Senators defense picked up midway through the first half and kept cutting the Cougars lead.

They pulled within three points at halftime 49-46 thanks to a balance scoring attack.

At the half, the Senators had three players in double digits.

Wayne Henderson had 12 points, Tim Turner and Danny Manuel both had eleven a piece.

“We let them get back into it and that’s something we need to work on for our next game,” Aldridge said.

Cougar Head Coach Bob Bolen agreed.

“We have to learn to keep the lead and play better defense,” he said.

MSU eventually pulled away in the second half thanks to Aldridge’s 15 point half.

“He (Aldridge) was a tremendous force on the offense tonight,” Bolen said. "He really lifted us when we need him.”

Mountain State welcomes Ohio Valley Thursday at the Beckley Raleigh County Convention Center at 7 p.m.

Game Notes: 7-foot, 8-inch Paul Sturgess did not play (coaches decision) and senior Marcus Hunter did not play (flu).