Shanna Rose | WV Sports Chat
ORLANDO, Fla. — Gia Cooke scored 19 points, Jordan Harrison added 16 and No. 17 West Virginia used a dominant third quarter to pull away from UCF for a 74–62 victory Wednesday night at Addition Financial Arena.
The Mountaineers (23–6, 13–4 Big 12) trailed 27–25 at halftime before erupting for a 31–9 advantage in the third quarter, turning a close game into a comfortable lead. The Mountaineers shot 76.5 percent from the floor in the period, hit all three of their 3-point attempts and forced six turnovers.
Harrison scored eight points in the quarter, Cooke added seven and Sydney Shaw chipped in six as WVU built a 56–35 lead entering the fourth.
Cooke finished 6 of 16 from the field and made four 3-pointers. Harrison was 6 of 7 shooting and added a game-high seven assists and three steals. Shaw scored all nine of her points from beyond the arc, while Carter McCray and Kierra Wheeler each contributed 12 points and seven rebounds.
The Mountaineers finished at 52 percent shooting overall and went 7 of 15 from 3-point range. WVU also capitalized on the Knights’ mistakes, scoring 22 points off 22 turnovers and recording 12 steals.
Khylala Ngodu led UCF (10–18, 2–15) with 21 points and nine rebounds. Kristol Ayson scored 12 and Kayanna Cox added 11 for the Knights, who have dropped 10 straight games. UCF shot 51 percent from the floor but missed all six of its 3-point attempts.
The Mountaineers close the regular season Sunday against Cincinnati at Hope Coliseum. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. ET.
Photo Credit: WVU Athletics
