No. 20 West Virginia Rolls to Sixth Straight Win
December 13, 2014 05:19 PM | General
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MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - Averee Fields tied a career-high 23 points and Linda Stepney recorded her first career double-double in No. 23/20 West Virginia University women’s basketball’s 82-48 victory over IPFW on Saturday afternoon at the WVU Coliseum.
West Virginia (8-1) opened the contest on an 18-3 run and never looked back en route to its sixth consecutive win. IPFW (4-6) cut the margin within 12 in the second half, but couldn’t handle the Mountaineers’ balanced attack. Saturday’s win extended WVU’s home win streak to 15 games, which is tied for fifth nationally.
For the first time in her four-year career, Stepney registered a double-double handing out a career-high 11 assists and tallying 13 points. The Norfolk, Virginia native did not commit a turnover, as WVU made a season-low seven miscues.
“She could have scored more,” said coach Mike Carey. “She had 13 points, 11 assists and no turnovers. She could score 13 or 15 points night in and night out if she wanted to. She played extremely well and she has been playing extremely well for us.”
Fields knocked down a career-best 11 field goals and scored 23 points in the win. She grabbed a team-high seven rebounds, handed out four assists and grabbed three steals in 40 minutes of play.
Bria Holmes, the Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year, added 17 points and a team-leading four steals. Freshman Teana Muldrow registered her fourth double figure game this year with 13 points.
Overall, WVU connected on 32-of-64 field goals for 50 percent, hitting five beyond the arch. The Mastodons knocked down six three-pointers and finished the evening with a 36.2 overall shooting percentage (17-of-47).
Defensively, WVU forced 23 IPFW turnovers resulting in 31 points and recorded a season-high 18 steals for its fifth consecutive double-digit steal performance.
West Virginia used its length inside to open the game on an 18-3 run. The Mastodons drained four three-pointers to cut their deficit to 27-17 with 7:44 remaining in the opening frame.
Down the first half stretch, WVU used an 11-0 run to extend its lead and take a 47-28 advantage at the break. WVU shot a season-high 60 percent (18-of-30) in the first half, limiting IPFW to 10-of-25 for 41.7 percent. Five of IPFW’s 10 made field goals were from three-point range.
Fields led all scorers at the break with 17 points and five rebounds. Stepney added nine points and nine assists. PIPFW’s Kamilah Carter had nine points to lead the Mastodons.
Starting the second half, IPFW’s Keanna Gary reeled in three consecutive baskets to help the Mastodons on a 9-2 run. That run cooled off as WVU reeled off a 19-3 run to take control of the remainder of the game. IPFW was held scoreless in the final three minutes as the Mountaineers won their sixth straight game. Gary finished as the Mastodon’s only double figure scorer with 12 points.
West Virginia takes a week break before playing in-state foe Marshall in Charleston for the annual Chesapeake Energy Capital Classic next Saturday, Dec. 20. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. at the Charleston Civic Center.
NOTES:
West Virginia’s 47 first-half points were a season high … West Virginia has won 15 consecutive home games … West Virginia is 7-0 at home this season … Averee Fields has scored in double figures in every game this season … Fields recorded her fourth 20-point game of the season and the fifth of her career … Fields tied a career high with 23 points … WVU shot 60 percent from the field in the first half – its highest percentage in the first half this season … Bria Holmes has scored in double figures in 13 straight games dating back to last season … the Mountaineers committed a season-low 7 turnovers against … Linda Stepney recorded her first-career double-double (13 points 11 assists) … Stepney set a career high with 11 assists … Stepney’s 11 assists tied for the sixth most in a single game at the WVU Coliseum … West Virginia has reached double figure steals in five consecutive games.
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