MORGANTOWN —
The West Virginia men’s basketball team apparently feels like it rekindled NCAA Tournament hopes in last Saturday’s 77-61 victory at Texas Tech.
Even Coach Bob Huggins has not given up hope with the thought. “Obviously, we’re a long way away now,” he said after that game. “But if we can get on a run here, we’ve got a chance.”
In making their record 10-11 overall and 3-5 in the Big 12, the Mountaineers uncorked by far their hottest all-around shooting performance of this season.
They shot a sizzling 65.0 percent from the field (13 of 20) in the second half and 56.5 percent (26 of 46) for the game.
In 3-point goaling, West Virginia shot 50.0 percent in the first half (6 of 12) and 55.6 percent for the game (10 of 18).
WVU also was sharp from the foul line, making 86.7 percent of its free throws in the second half (13 of 15) and 75.0 percent for the game (15 of 20).
Making all of those figures even more flattering is the fact that West Virginia was the worst shooting team in the Big 12 (39.4 percent) going into that contest.
Texas Tech (9-10, 2-6 Big 12) shot 47.6 percent for the game (20 of 42), 44.4 percent from 3-point range (4 of 9) and 81.0 percent from the foul line (17 of 21 free throws).
The Mountaineers had a 24-22 edge in rebounds and dished out 11 assists. They also had 10 steals and blocked five shots.
But both teams had difficulties holding on to the ball. WVU committed 18 turnovers, 12 in the first half, and the Red Raiders had 22 turnovers.
Huggins said he continues to be baffled by some of the things his team does at times to allow opponents to work their way back into contention when behind.
But having four scorers in double figures certainly was a major factor in this triumph. Freshman guard Eron Harris scored a game-high of 18 points. Junior center Aaric Murray had 12 points, and sophomore guards Gary Browne and Juwan Staten tallied 11 points each.
Two other Mountaineers, senior Deniz Kilicli and sophomore guard Aaron Brown, barely missed double digits by scoring nine points each.
It was West Virginia’s best scoring balance since a 94-69 win over VMI at the Coliseum on Nov. 22. That was the fifth game of the 2012-13 campaign, and seven WVU scorers finished in double figures.
Staten led the way with 18 points. The other six were Kilicli 13, Murray 13, Browne 11, Keaton Miles 11, Terry Heaton 10 and Harris 10.
NCAA Tournament hopes might become a reality if the Mountaineers continue to put together multiple double-digit scorers and win more games.
Today's Sports Front
Mountaineers still have Madness on their minds
- Today's Sports Front
-
-
A dream start, nightmare end
Lightning on the horizon brought Wednesday's final game of the state softball tournament to an end.
The James Monroe Lady Mavericks had felt a shock long before that. -
One step away from Charleston
A trip to Charleston — with a lot more on the agenda than a tour of the capitol building and a shopping spree at Charleston Town Center — will be up for grabs tonight for three area teams that are one win away from punching their ticket to the WVSSAC State Baseball Tournament at Appalachian Power Park.
-
Tanner is Summers County coach
After weeks of controversy, it appears Summers County High School officially has a new football coach.
-
WVU baseball changes up pitching lineup for Big 12 Championship
Randy Mazey’s attention has been on everything but baseball in recent days, as the West Virginia University coach has been out in front of his team’s effort to help the tornado victims in Oklahoma, where his team has been this week preparing for the Big 12 Baseball Championships, which begin today at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City, Okla.
-
Woodrow downs defending AAA champs
It’s a play that Woodrow Wilson has practiced everyday this season and has rarely had to utilize.
It’s a good thing the Flying Eagles did practice it; it saved their season and led to a 2-1 victory over defending state champion Princeton. -
No repeat for Warriors
Independence has been on a tear offensively the entire month of May. It didn’t stop Tuesday, even against Wyoming East ace Derek Thornton.
The Patriots led 5-0 after two innings, and Brian Sexton — backed by that very offense and some sparkling defense — gutted out a complete game in a 7-5 win in the Class AA Region 3 semifinals Tuesday night. -
’Hounds hold off upset bid from Man Hillbillies
Valley’s potent offense never came to life, but the Greyhounds are still alive.
Valley (22-7) — with several players hitting .400 or better this season — could muster just three singles against underdog Man (6-20-1) in one of two Class A Region 3 baseball semifinals Tuesday, but the ’Hounds manufactured two runs in the crucial fifth inning to finally go ahead of the stubborn Hillbillies and escape with a 3-2 victory. -
WVU baseball team helps tornado victims
West Virginia University head baseball coach Randy Mazey was having lunch at an Oklahoma City restaurant Monday afternoon, keeping a close watch on the television set.
With every passing minute, the tornado that devastated the Oklahoma town of Moore, was moving closer and closer to his location and its path was being documented by a local television station. At one point, the coach even looked out the window to see if he could see the approaching funnel. -
Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship Format Changed
In the wake of this week’s devastating storm in the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore, the Big 12 Conference is postponing the start of the 2013 Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship. No. 3 seeded WVU scheduled to take on Kansas at 4 p.m. (Central) on Thursday.
-
Patriots, Warriors meet in anticipated matchup
The matchup many people expected will take place today.
- More Today's Sports Front Headlines
-
Johnson: Don't Blame Islam or UK Policy
Raw: 80-Year-Old Climbs Mount Everest
Wash. State Man Arrested Following Ricin Scare
Chain-Reaction School Bus Crash Injures About 50
Raw: Scuffles in London After Hacking Death
Texas Students Coach Teachers on Fitness
New Forecasting Tool Eyed for Hurricane Season
Meet MJ, the Bike Riding Tabby Cat
Britain Attack Believed Linked to Radical Islam
Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge
Man Shot While Questioned in Boston Probe
Weiner Launches Bid to Become NYC Mayor
Okla. Teens Get Video of Deadly Tornado Overhead
School Storm Protection Spotty in Tornado Zones
9-year-old Tornado Victim Loved Family, Singing
Moore Native Toby Keith Tours Tornado Damage
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Raw: Aftermath of Deadly Attack in London
Paperless Scanner, Vision of the Future
