CINCINNATI — Honor Huff scored all 16 of his points in the second half and West Virginia erased a 14-point deficit to defeat Cincinnati 59-54 on Thursday night at Fifth Third Arena.
It marked the Mountaineers’ largest comeback victory in four years and completed a season sweep of the Bearcats, along with West Virginia’s second straight win in the Queen City.
“I think there are going to be some people tomorrow who woke up and said, ‘They won that game? I turned it off and went to sleep,'” WVU head coach Ross Hodge said afterward on his post game radio show.
After scoring just 20 points in the first half and missing all nine of its 3-point attempts, WVU (15-8, 6-4 Big 12) outscored Cincinnati 36-17 over the final 14 minutes.
The Mountaineers scored on 17 of their 29 second-half possessions and committed only three turnovers after nine in the opening half.
Huff and freshman D.J. Thomas combined for 26 of WVU’s 39 second-half points. Huff, who was held scoreless before halftime, hit three 3-pointers and fueled a decisive rally, while Thomas provided the go-ahead shot late.
A corner 3 by Thomas put the Mountaineers ahead 49-47 with 4:05 remaining, and he added another from beyond the top of the key with 1:30 left to extend the lead to 53-49. Thomas also made two free throws with 51 seconds remaining to seal it.
Thomas scored 10 of his 14 points after halftime, making all three of his second-half field goal attempts and going 4 for 4 from the line. Brenen Lorient added 11 points, and Harlan Obioha led WVU with six rebounds.
“D.J. provides us with some space (with his outside shooting) and he made two big ones,” Hodge said.
Despite some missed free throws down the stretch, the Mountaineers’ defense closed the door, holding the Bearcats to just four field goals over the final 14:11. Cincinnati scored on only 10 of 27 second-half possessions.
Jizzle James led all scorers with 18 points for the Bearcats (11-12, 3-7), which fell below .500 overall. Baba Miller added 15 points and eight rebounds.
WVU shot 43.8 percent from the field and went 6 of 12 from 3-point range in the second half after its early struggles. The Mountaineers were out-rebounded by just one, 34-33.
“They were 11-2 in this building for a reason, and I knew it was going to be hard,” Hodge said.
WVU is now tied with UCF for sixth place in the Big 12 and returns home Sunday to face No. 13 Texas Tech. The game tips at 1 p.m. ET and will air nationally on FOX.Photo Credit: WVU Athletics
