MORGANTOWN, W.VA. ? The days are over for West Virginia catching an opponent by surprise. That showed in the 14th-ranked Mountaineers’ first game since last season’s improbable run that ended one victory shy of the Final Four.

“Today, a couple of people called our name. That was strange,” said Mike Gansey, who led the Mountaineers with 22 points and 14 rebounds in Saturday’s 88-69 victory over Louisiana-Monroe to advance to the second round of the Guardians Classic.

Ranked in the preseason poll for the first time in 43 years, the Mountaineers had a second-half lapse as Louisiana-Monroe cut a 17-point deficit to five. But West Virginia responded with three straight baskets, including a three-pointer by Gansey, to put the game out of reach.

Kevin Pittsnogle, a hero of last March’s NCAA Tournament run, scored 18 points.