Bombs Away
February 19, 2008 09:08 PM | General
February 19, 2008
BOX SCORE
CINCINNATI, OHIO – Meg Bulger led five players in double-figure scoring with 20 points and West Virginia got back on the winning track with a convincing 82-63 victory over the Cincinnati Bearcats Tuesday evening at Fifth Third Arena.
No. 13/13 WVU (21-4, 10-2) set a Fifth Third Arena record for most 3-pointers by an opponent. WVU’s 13 3-pointers also tied for the second-most in school history. The Mountaineers also hit 13 3-pointers against Oklahoma State in 1999. It also marked a Mike Carey era high.
Cincinnati (11-14, 2-11) and WVU combined for 26 3-pointers breaking a school record for most combined 3-pointers in a contest. That previous mark of 25 was set just last game in an 81-80 losing effort against DePaul.
Bulger notched her 28th career 20-point effort and third of the season on 6-10 shooting including 4-8 from 3-point range and 4-4 from the free throw line. Senior guard LaQuita Owens tallied 15 points, including three 3-pointers, senior forward Chakhia Cole added 14, freshman guard Liz Repella tallied 11 points and freshman guard Kelly Smith tallied a career-best 10 points.
A 3-point barrage welcomed first half action as both teams combined to make 18 3-pointers in the opening 20 minutes. West Virginia, by far, made the most 3-pointers in any of its first-halves this season, connecting on 9-17 (52.9%). UC made 9-15 3-pointers in the first half.
Trailing 24-21 with 10:38 left in the first half, WVU used a 9-0 run to take a 30-24 lead on a Sparkle Davis baseline jumper. UC then took the lead back at 34-33 on a Carla Jacobs 3-pointer before West Virginia used a 13-0 run, to close the first half and take a 46-34 which included two Liz Repella 3-pointers. WVU did not trail for the rest of the game.
Cole led the Mountaineers with 12 first half points followed by 11 each by Repella and Bulger.
Kahla Roudebush netted a game-high 22 points including six 3-pointers for the Bearcats.
West Virginia has now posted four 21-win seasons in the last five years and returns to action Saturday, Feb. 23, at 4 p.m. when it takes on Villanova at the WVU Coliseum.
