Shanna Rose | WV Sports Chat
MORGANTOWN, W.Va.- Skylar Forbes scored a career-best 26 points as West Virginia downed George Washington 78-66 on Thursday at Hope Coliseum.
The senior forward connected on 10-of-14 from the field, including 6-of-10 from beyond the arc. She had three rebounds, two blocked shots and an assist in 38 minutes.
The Mountaineers (2-0) fell behind early but dominated the Revolutionaries (1-1) in the second quarter to take control. WVU forced 24 turnovers and had 12 steals.
Trailing 16-14 at the end of the first quarter, the Mountaineers dropped 23 points in the second quarter to take a 37-31 lead at the half. WVU’s pressure defense smothered George Washington and the Mountaineers turned turnovers into 16 points.
The Revolutionaries refused to go away and pulled within five several times in the third quarter. Each time WVU got clutch baskets from Forbes, Zahirah Walton and Divine Tumba. The Mountaineers outscored George Washington, 22-19, in the third quarter to take a 59-50 advantage into the final period.
In the fourth quarter, Forbes drained a 3-pointer to push WVU’s lead to 67-58 with 5:30 left in the contest.
The Mountaineers shot 46 percent from the field and made 8-of-21 from beyond the arc. The Revolutionaries shot 47 percent from the floor and 46 percent from long range. Turnovers were pivotal for George Washington.
Walton had 17 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals while shooting 6-of-9 from the floor.
Tumba came off the bench and tallied 15 points and nine rebounds. Gia Cooke had seven points and four assists. Alexis Bordas added seven points and two assists.
The Revolutionaries were led by Alicia Newell with 19 points, 11 rebounds, four steals and two blocks. Gabby Reynolds added 18 points, while Anne Bair chipped in seven points and Kamari Sims scored six.
WVU outrebounded the Revolutionaries 38-30 and scored 38 points in the paint.
The Mountaineers travel to Georgia on Nov. 8 to face Georgia Tech for a 2 p.m. showdown.
Photo Credit: WVU Athletics
