Shanna Rose | WV Sports Chat
SALT LAKE CITY — LA Sneed scored 15 points and Reese Ross posted a double-double as Utah never trailed in a 71-64 victory over No. 22 West Virginia on Tuesday night inside the Huntsman Center.
Ross finished with 12 points, 10 rebounds and four assists for the Utes (15-6, 6-3 Big 12). Lani White added 14 points and Chyra Evans scored 12 as Utah hit 10 3-pointers and shot 54 percent from the field.
Jordan Harrison scored a game-high 18 points and dished out eight assists to lead the Mountaineers (17-5, 7-3), which suffered its first road loss of the season and saw its three-game winning streak snapped. Gia Cooke added 11 points and Carter McCray scored 10.
The Utes used a strong second quarter to build separation, closing the first half on a 14-5 run to take a 36-24 lead at the break. Sneed scored eight of her points in the quarter and made two 3-pointers as Utah knocked down six 3s and shot 58 percent (15 of 26) in the opening half.
The Utes pushed their lead to as many as 18 points at 48-30 with 5:11 remaining in the third quarter.
WVU mounted a late push, scoring the first seven points of the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to 55-49 with 6:30 to play, but Utah answered to keep the Mountaineers from getting any closer.
WVU shot 41 percent from the floor, won the rebounding battle 33-29 and forced 21 turnovers, but couldn’t find a consistent offensive rhythm.
The Mountaineers host No. 14 Baylor on Sunday on Sunday at the Hope Coliseum.
Photo Credit: WVU Athletics
