No. 21 WVU Routs Evansville, 83-39
November 26, 2014 06:15 PM | General
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The No. 22/21-ranked West Virginia University women’s basketball team rolled to an 83-39 victory over Evansville at the WVU Coliseum on Wednesday evening.
The Mountaineers (3-1) used a string of runs, including an eight point game-opening barrage, to take a commanding 41-22 halftime lead. Evansville (1-3) cut the deficit to single digits late in the first stanza, but were unable to accommodate for WVU’s physical pressure. The Mountaineers picked up 62 rebounds and outscored the Aces 48-14 inside.
For the second time this season, Bria Holmes eclipsed the 30-point mark with a game-high 32 points and a career-best 12 made field goals. The junior reeled in six rebounds and tied Linda Stepney for the team lead with five assists.
Wednesday evening marked a career-setting night for Crystal Leary, who tallied new personal bests with 14 points and four blocks. Averee Fields reached double-digits for the fourth straight game by adding 12 to the score column.
“It’s always nice to get a win,” said associated head coach Chester Nichols. “Obviously, we fixed some things, but there are still some things we have to clean up moving forward. It’s good to see that Crystal Leary came up and gave us a lot of energy coming off of the bench. Once we started rebounding the ball, we were able to get some transition buckets.”
West Virginia’s 62 rebounds were the most for a Mountaineer squad since corralling 62 against Temple on Feb. 12, 1994. WVU shot a season-high 46.4 percent (32-of-69) from the field, while limiting the Purple Aces to just 12-of-58 for 20.7 percent. Defensively, the Mountaineers blocked 10 shots and notched 17 points off turnovers in the triumph.
Sarah Dickey, who was selected to the Preseason All-Missouri Valley team, notched a team-best 16 points for Evansville.
The Mountaineers used three separate eight point runs to take a commanding 41-22 lead at the break. WVU opened the first half on an 8-0 run. Fields later added back-to-back buckets to put the WVU up comfortably, 14-3. Dickey knocked down a free throw to cut WVU’s lead to nine with 9:19 remaining.
A free throw by Lanay Montgomery and a Holmes layup extended the Mountaineers advantage back to 12. Evansville made surge with six minutes remaining off six straight points from Dickey cutting the lead to seven. In the final five minutes, WVU scored 13-of-14 points to end the period.
West Virginia shot 15-of-34 for 44.1 percent from the field in the first half, holding the Aces to 6-of-27 for 22.2 percent. Holmes led WVU with 16 points and five rebounds, while Dickey had 10 for Evansville.
The second half started off red hot for the Mountaineers as they conducted a 12-6 run to take a commanding 53-28 lead and never looked back in the contest. Freshman Teana Muldrow reeled nine points and nine rebounds, while Bre McDonald completed her first night in Mountaineer uniform with nine points and six boards.
West Virginia closes out the two-game homestand this Saturday at 2 p.m. versus Fairfield (1-4). Parking will be free in the lots at the WVU Coliseum for the women’s game. WVU parking staff will assist vehicles in parking in the lots near the Blue Gate.
All vehicles must be cleared from Coliseum parking lots following the conclusion of the women’s game by 5 p.m., as the men’s basketball game versus the College of Charleston follows at 7:30 p.m.
NOTES: Senior Linda Stepney made her 97th start on Wednesday … WVU has won eight straight non-conference games in the Coliseum dating back to last season … The Mountaineers are 152-39 all-time in the Coliseum under Mike Carey … Bre McDonald finds first bucket as a Mountaineer at 11:09 … WVU’s 19-point lead was the largest for the Mountaineers this season … Bria Holmes has reached double figures in eight consecutive games dating back to last season … Holmes has scored 20 or more in 3-of-4 contests this season … Holmes’ 32 points marked her third 30-point game and the second of the season … The 12 FG makes by Holmes is a career-best … Crystal Leary set career highs with 14 points and four blocks … Averee Fields recorded her fourth straight double-figure game with 12 points ... Freshman Tyara Warren notched a personal-best six boards ... Freshman Dominique Simpson recorded a season-best five rebounds.
2026 Mountaineer Invitational Preview
Thursday, April 09
Nate Gabriel | April 8
Thursday, April 09
Coach Rich Rodriguez | April 8
Thursday, April 09
Coach Rod West | April 8
Thursday, April 09
