Shanna Rose I WV Sports Chat
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Jordan Harrison scored 15 points as the West Virginia University women’s basketball team defeated Purdue Fort Wayne, 83–47, on Monday night at the Hope Coliseum.
Kierra Wheeler had 14 points and seven rebounds for the Mountaineers (1-0). Jordan Thomas added 12, and Sydney Shaw scored 11. Carter McCray grabbed nine boards.
WVU forced 31 turnovers, leading to 30 points, and outrebounded the Mastodons, 51–32.
Not only did WVU use its size to dominate the boards, but the Mountaineers also controlled the paint, scoring 42 points inside.
In the first half, PFW managed to compete with the Mountaineers and held a 20–18 edge on the glass. The Mastodons trailed 16–9 before WVU got back-to-back 3s from Harrison and Riley Makalusky, along with a Harrison free throw, to stretch the lead to 23–9.
PFW refused to go away, and Destiny Macharia drained a 3-pointer with two minutes left in the half to cut the deficit to 34–25. However, Harrison and Shaw each hit deep threes in the final minute to push the Mountaineers’ lead to 40–25 at the break.
After halftime, the Mountaineers broke the game open with a 12–0 run. WVU’s defense locked in during the second half, holding the Mastodons to just 11 points in each of the final two quarters.
With the win, WVU extends its streak to 12 straight season-opening victories.
WVU hosts Kent State on Friday, Nov. 7, at the Hope Coliseum in Morgantown. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.
Photo Credit: WVU Athletics
