Women's Basketball: WVU Extends Streak
February 04, 2004 11:06 PM | General
February 4, 2004
 |
||
| Sowho |
PROVIDENCE – Sherell Sowho scored a career-high 28 points and Kate Bulger added 21 to lead West Virginia to an easy 88-53 win over Providence Wednesday night at Alumni Hall.
After leading by just nine at halftime, the Mountaineers used a 20-4 run to open the second half and turn a competitive game into a rout. West Virginia led by as many as 38 points twice in the second half and was able to clear its bench with midway through the second half.
"We were rebounding and getting Yolanda the ball quicker," said Sowho. "That allowed us to get up the floor and get to the blocks quicker. That causes problems, either someone is open for a three or we're going to have a layup."
Sowho was the catalyst for West Virginia, making 10 of 14 field goal attempts including 5 of 8 from three-point range. Sowho had a stretch at the start of the second half where she scored 11 straight points to key West Virginia’s big run.
"Coach got my head on straight and I was ready to come out and make them pay for leaving me open," said Sowho.
After a slow start, Kate Bulger finished making 8 of 17 field goal attempts including 5 of 10 from three-point distance. Wednesday night was Bulger’s 27th career 20-point game which is fourth-best in school history.
Kate's sister Meg was also solid, scoring 16 points and grabbing a game-high 12 rebounds for her second-double of the season. Bulger’s 12 boards were also a season high.
West Virginia made 21 of 32 second-half field goals to shoot 65.6 percent. WVU finished the game making 33 of 69 field goal attempts for 47.8 percent.
West Virginia was 11 of 25 from three-point distance.
Point guard Yolanda Paige handed out 12 assists in the 37 minutes of action. West Virginia is now 13-3 when Paige hands out 10 assists or more in a game.
Everyone played together tonight," said Sowho.
Providence was 22 of 56 for 39.3 percent. Gayle Nwafili led the Lady Friars with 17 points and 11 rebounds.
West Virginia extended its winning streak to seven straight games and has won a school-best six Big East games in a row. West Virginia’s four conference road wins equals the same number of road victories over the past four seasons. West Virginia’s 35-point road win was also its largest in Big East play. The prior high was 25 points in a win at Pitt in 1998.
The Mountaineers’ 7-2 record in conference play is their best start since joining the Big East in 1996. WVU is 16-5 overall.
"We've already had a great chemistry but now we know what we can do," said Sowho. "We also know that we can be beaten on any given night by any team."
Sowho says this is the most fun she's had playing basketball since she came to West Virginia.
"We have a great group of people, our coaching staff is awesome ... everything is just great," she said. "It's real family orienated."
Providence drops to 4-15, 0-8.
WVU returns to the court Saturday night to face Syracuse in an important conference game at the WVU Coliseum. That game is scheduled to start at 7 pm.
