Shanna Rose | WV Sports Chat
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — West Virginia closed out nonconference play Sunday by leaning on its defense and rebounding, pulling away from Texas A&M for a 63-45 win inside Reed Arena.
The Mountaineers forced the Aggies into their lowest-scoring game of the season, creating 24 turnovers and holding Texas A&M to 34 percent shooting (15 of 44). WVU improved to 10-2 and extended its winning streak to four games, while the Aggies fell to 6-2.
Kierra Wheeler recorded her second straight double-double and fourth of the season, finishing with 16 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Mountaineers. She also added five steals.
Four WVU players scored in double figures. Senior guards Jordan Harrison and Gia Cooke each finished with 13 points, while Sydney Shaw narrowly missed her second career double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds.
The Mountaineers controlled the glass throughout, out-rebounding the Aggies 39-29, including a 14-8 edge on the offensive boards. WVU converted those extra possessions into 16 second-chance points and scored 30 points in the paint.
The teams were tied 14-14 after the opening quarter before the Mountaineers used a 10-0 run early in the second to seize control. WVU pushed its lead to as many as 12 points in the period and took a 33-23 advantage into halftime after Texas A&M made just 2 of 11 shots in the quarter.
The Aggies trimmed the deficit to seven midway through the third quarter, but the Mountaineers answered with a 9-4 run over the final three minutes to stretch the lead back to 13. WVU led by as many as 18 in the fourth and outscored Texas A&M 14-9 in the final frame.
Despite the defensive dominance, the Mountaineers were not at their sharpest offensively, shooting 41.4 percent from the field and committing 20 turnovers. Still, WVU led for 31 minutes and connected on eight 3-pointers to maintain separation.
Fatmata Janneh led the Aggies with 12 points and 10 rebounds for her second straight double-double. Lauren Ware added 10 points and eight rebounds, while Ny’Ceara Pryor — Texas A&M’s leading scorer entering the game — was limited to eight points on 2-of-8 shooting and committed four turnovers.
The Mountaineers open Big 12 Conference action Sunday, hosting Houston at 2 p.m. ET.
Photo Credit: WVU Athletics
