Shanna Rose | WV Sports Chat
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — No. 25 West Virginia returned to form Friday night, rolling past Mercyhurst 97–51 inside Hope Coliseum.
The Mountaineers (now back in the win column) posted a season-high 97 points, shooting 52.4% from the field and finishing with 33 made baskets. Five players scored in double figures as WVU piled up 22 assists against the undersized Lakers.
Senior guard Jordan Harrison led all scorers with 19 points to go with five assists and three steals. Junior forward Carter McCray added 15 points and seven rebounds, both career highs. Graduate forward Kierra Wheeler chipped in 14 points, a game-high eight boards and five steals.
Senior guard Sydney Shaw delivered one of her strongest outings of the season, totaling 13 points, six assists and six steals — matching her career highs in both assists and steals. Junior guard Gia Cooke finished with 12 points.
West Virginia set the tone immediately, opening the game on a 16–0 run before Mercyhurst found the scoreboard at the 4-minute mark. The Lakers shot 2 of 11 in the first quarter — with both makes coming from deep — and committed seven turnovers as WVU built a 23–6 lead. Twelve of those points came directly off Mercyhurst turnovers.
The Mountaineers kept rolling in the second quarter, shooting 62.5% as seven different players scored. WVU closed the half on a 14–1 run to push the lead to 34 before a late Laker three sent the game into halftime with West Virginia ahead 49–18.
WVU stretched the margin to 46 in the third quarter and 47 in the fourth, ultimately securing its largest win of the season. The Mountaineers are now 2–0 all-time against Mercyhurst, both wins coming at home.
West Virginia also extended a long-running streak: the program has not lost at home to a non–Power Five opponent since Dec. 20, 2012, against Duquesne.
Next up, WVU continues its homestand Monday when it hosts Texas Southern. Tipoff at Hope Coliseum is set for 7 p.m. ET.
Photo credit: WVU Athletics
