By: Shanna Rose
MORGANTOWN, W.Va.–Javon Small had 25 points and freshman Jonathan Powell scored 12 of his 15 points in the second half to help West Virginia fend off UCF on Saturday night at the Coliseum.
The Mountaineers (19-12, 10-10 Big 12) almost blew a 25-point lead in the second half but managed to keep the Knights at bay.
Amani Hansberry recorded a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
WVU’s largest lead was 27 at 47-20 with 1:40 left in the first half on one of Small’s five 3-pointers.
Dior Johnson led UCF (16-15, 7-13). with 27 points, connecting on four 3s. Moustapha Thiam had 13 points and JJ Taylor added 12.
Powell sank a 3 to start the second half to give the Mountaineers a 25-point lead but then WVU went cold and the Knights went on a run and forced the Mountaineers to turn the ball over.
“The second half didn’t go the way we had planned, but what I love about this group is they stayed resilient when all the momentum had shifted, and they found a way to make some big plays,” WVU head coach Darian DeVries said.
Johnson’s driving layup with two minutes remaining cut the Mountaineers lead to 67-64. Powell responded with a 3-pointer. Then Johnson made 1 of 2 free throws and the Knights missed two 3s on their next possession. Small sank two final free throws with 15.7 seconds left to seal the game
Prior to the game, WVU honored its seniors in a ceremony.
The Mountaineers finished eighth in the Big 12 and earned a first-round bye the Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City, Missouri, starting on Tuesday.
Photo Credit: Kelsie LeRose, WVSN
