WVU Downs Fairleigh Dickinson
December 03, 2014 06:16 PM | General
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The Mountaineers (5-1) fought off an early five point deficit to take a 40-29 halftime lead. Fairleigh Dickinson (1-5) cut the WVU lead to single digits early in the second half. However, an 11-4 run set the tone for the remainder of the game, as West Virginia collected its third straight win.
“A win is a win,” said coach Mike Carey. “We’ve got a long way to go. We have to get better in all three phrases - defensively, rebounding and executing half court sets. We are not where we need to be.”
In front of many of her family members and friends, junior guard Bria Holmes posted 25 points, collected four steals and handed out three assists in the win. The New Haven, Connecticut native went 11-of-20 from the field with three triples.
Senior Linda Stepney added 13 points and dished out two assists in the win. Meanwhile, Averee Fields added 10 points, pulled in nine rebounds and had four steals.
Lanay Montgomery matched a career-high with eight rebounds and blocked a new personal-best five shots. Teana Muldrow, a native of East Orange, New Jersey, added four points and a steal in her home state.
West Virginia shot a season-best 54.2 percent (32-of-59) from the field, while holding Fairleigh Dickinson to 36.5 percent (19-of-52) from the field. The Mountaineers forced 25 Knights turnovers and collected 14 steals in the win. Fairleigh Dickinson kept the rebounding margin as WVU won that column 39-to-32.
The Knights opened the to a five-point lead with buckets from Kelsey Cruz and Erika Livermore. However, the Mountaineers proceeded on a 10-0 run to take a five-point edge with 15:34 remaining.
Cruz’s jumper at 12:44 put the Knights back up by one with 12:44 left in the half. Cruz led FDU in scoring with 15 points. The Mountaineers and Knights traded buckets until back-to-back buckets put the Mountaineers on a comfortable 8-0 run.
West Virginia stretched its lead to as many as 14 before taking a 40-29 lead into the locker room. Holmes led all scorers with 15 points, while Fields reeled in six rebounds. WVU shot at a 60 percent clip (18-of-30) from the field, while FDU was 12-of-27 for 44.4 percent.
In the second half, Fairleigh Dickinson opened the second half on a 5-2 run to cut the Mountaineers edge to single-digits. The Mountaineers used an 11-4 run midway through the half to extend the lead to double figures. WVU extended its lead to 28 late in the game, collecting an 80-52 victory.
West Virginia opens a three-game homestand with Coppin State on Saturday, Dec. 6. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. inside the WVU Coliseum. Fans who bring a new unwrapped toy will receive free admission to Saturday’s game or a future regular season women’s basketball game. All donations will help the Salvation Army.
NOTES: Linda Stepney started her 99th career game on Wednesday … Bria Holmes reached double figures for the 10th straight game with her 25 points … Lanay Montgomery matched a career-high of eight rebounds … She set a new personal best with five blocks … WVU’s 54.2 percent shooting from the field was the highest of the season ... Freshman Dominique Simpson scored a season-high five points.
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