Shanna Rose | WV Sports Chat
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Honor Huff scored 23 points, including 17 in the second half, as West Virginia used a dominant run after halftime to upset No. 22 Kansas 86-75 on Saturday afternoon at Hope Coliseum.
The Mountaineers broke the game open with a 16-0 run over a seven-minute stretch in the second half, turning a 59-51 deficit into a lead they would not relinquish. The Jayhawks appeared in control when Tre White buried a 3-pointer with 14:55 remaining, but WVU responded with its most complete stretch of the season.
Jasper Floyd, held scoreless to that point, sparked the surge with seven points during the run as the Mountaineers pushed ahead 67-59 with 8:36 left.
Kansas got no closer than six points the rest of the way. WVU sealed the victory at the foul line, making 11 of 12 free throws in the final two minutes.
The Mountaineers (11-5, 2-1 Big 12) outrebounded Kansas 38-32 and shot 48.2 percent from the field, including 42.3 percent from beyond the arc. WVU also made 21 of 29 free throws, compared to 15 of 18 for the Jayhawks.
Brennen Lorient added 18 points and six assists, while Treysen Eaglestaff scored 12. Harlan Obioha posted a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Freshman Darryn Peterson led Kansas (11-5, 1-2) with 23 points, Tre White added 18 and Melvin Council Jr. finished with 11.
The Jayhawks shot just 31 percent after halftime and missed eight straight shots during the Mountaineer’s decisive run.
WVU entered the game with the nation’s fifth-ranked scoring defense, allowing 61.5 points per game, but Kansas attacked the paint early, scoring 30 points inside in the first half. The Mountaineers adjusted after the break, contesting shots and keeping the Jayhawks out of the lane.
“I thought our game plan discipline got better as the game went on,” WVU head coach Ross Hodge said. “Once we were able to keep the ball out of the paint, we could rebound and run.”
Hope Coliseum again proved troublesome for the Jayhawks, which dropped to 5-8 all-time in the building. A near-capacity crowd of 13,743 stayed afterward to celebrate and sing “Country Roads.”
The Mountaineers will continue their stretch against ranked opponents Tuesday night at No. 7 Houston.
Photo Credit: WVU Athletics
