Shanna Rose | WV Sports Chat
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia leaned on its inside game to bounce back Sunday, riding a dominant performance in the paint to an 84-76 road win over Cincinnati at Fifth Third Arena.
The Mountaineers shot 54 percent from the field and scored a season-high 56 points in the paint as they improved to 15-4 overall and 5-2 in Big 12 play. WVU also stayed perfect away from home at 5-0 this season.
Kierra Wheeler led the Mountaineers with 18 points, adding six rebounds and four assists. Five players finished in double figures, including Sydney Woodley and Jordan Thomas with 12 points apiece. Carter McCray posted 10 points and a game-high seven rebounds, while Jordan Harrison added 10 points, eight assists and four steals.
WVU grabbed control early, using a late 7-0 run in the first quarter to open a 23-14 lead. The Mountaineers continued to build separation in the second quarter, outscoring the Bearcats 20-12 while scoring 16 points in the paint to take a 43-26 advantage into halftime.
WVU stretched the lead to as many as 26 points midway through the third quarter before Cincinnati responded with a 16-3 run to close the gap. The Mountaineers still carried a 64-50 lead into the fourth.
The Bearcats cut the deficit to single digits in the final period, trimming the margin to seven points with four minutes remaining. WVU answered with an 8-0 run fueled by paint touches from Wheeler and Thomas to regain control and close out the win.
Despite committing 22 turnovers, the Mountaineers controlled the glass with a 33-25 rebounding advantage and went 17-of-21 from the free-throw line.
The victory marked WVU’s 10th straight win over Cincinnati and moved the Mountaineers to 6-0 against the Bearcats since they joined the Big 12.
WVU returns home Wednesday to host Arizona State.
Photo Credit: WVU Athletics
