Mount-Preview-Dec2016.jpg
WVU Concludes Nonconference Slate Wednesday
December 20, 2016 12:13 PM | Women's Basketball
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - The No. 13/12 ranked West Virginia University women’s basketball team concludes nonconference action with Mount St. Mary’s on Wednesday, Dec. 21. Tipoff is slated for 6:30 p.m. at the WVU Coliseum.
Wednesday is Feed A Family Night and Family Night at the Coliseum. Fans that bring a nonperishable food item will receive free admission to the game or a future women’s basketball game. Fans can also purchase a Family Night package for $25, which includes four tickets and a $15 concession voucher. Tickets may be purchased online at WVUGAME.com or by calling the Mountaineer Ticket Office at 1-800-WVU GAME.
Dan Zangrilli and Meg Bulger will have the call on the Mountaineer Sports Network from IMG. Fans can listen on various affiliates across the state (click here for a full list), WVUsports.com, the WVU Gameday app or TuneIn. A free video stream will also be provided at WVUsports.com.
West Virginia ranks in seven top-15 categories nationally, including four in the top three. The Mountaineers possess the nation’s best field goal percentage defense (28.3 percent). Additionally, WVU is No. 2 in scoring defense (48.6), No. 2 in blocked shots per game (7.4 bpg) and No. 3 in scoring offense (82.5 ppg). WVU’s 48.9 field goal percentage (332-of-679) ranks ninth in the NCAA.
Earlier on Tuesday, West Virginia was named the NCAA’s Team of the Week after opening the year 11-0. With a win on Wednesday, the Mountaineers can conclude the nonconference slate undefeated for the third time in program history joining the 2002-03 and 2010-11 squads.
“Our players are excited about going home because it’s really the only break they get until after basketball season,” said coach Mike Carey. “Sometimes, you have to remind them there are still games to be played.”
Tynice Martin continues to lead the Big 12 Conference with 18.7 points per game and has reached double-figure scoring in the last 13 games. Teana Muldrow is second on the team with 13.9 points per game.
Lanay Montgomery is second nationally with a 74.7 field goal percentage (56-of-75) and is fifth in the NCAA with 3.4 blocks per game. Montgomery is third in scoring with 12.1 points per game and paces the Mountaineers with 9.8 rebounds per contest.
Kristina King has shot higher than 58 percent from the field in each of her last seven games. King is fourth on the team with 10.7 points per contest.
West Virginia and Mount St. Mary’s meet for the seventh time on Wednesday with WVU holding a 4-2 edge in the series. The Mountaineers won the last meeting, 94-32, on Dec. 20, 2011, in Morgantown.
Mount St. Mary’s (2-8) has lost its last four games, including a 68-48 loss at William & Mary on Dec. 18. The Mount lost to an earlier WVU opponent, Howard, 95-62, on Dec. 10.
Mount St. Mary’s is averaging 54.2 points per game and surrendering 72.1 points per game to opponents. The Mountaineers are shooting 33.4 percent (176-of-527) from the field and 29.3 percent (60-of-205) from behind the arc.
“They don’t have great size, so they are going to try to spread you out,” Carey said. “They play a five-out offense a lot of times. They run a lot of quick hitters and they’ll change up defensively.”
Caroline Hummell leads the Mountaineers with 11.8 points per game and is tied for the team lead with 10 steals. Mikal Johnson leads the Mount with 17 three-pointers and 12 blocks this season. Alexis Carter is Mount St. Mary’s leading rebounder with 6.0 boards per game.
Following Wednesday’s contest, No. 13/12 West Virginia opens Big 12 Conference action at TCU on Thursday, Dec. 29, in a 7:30 p.m. ET contest.
Mountaineers Move Up to No. 12
West Virginia climbed two spots to No. 12 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Top 25 Poll released on Tuesday. WVU is No. 13 in the latest Associated Press Poll released on Monday.
The Mountaineers earned 415 votes to move past Ohio State and Stanford. Other Big 12 Top 25 teams include: No. 3 Baylor, No. 17 Texas and No. 21 Oklahoma. Oklahoma State (40) and Kansas State (4) are in the others receiving votes category.
NCAA Second Round Press Conference | Kellogg, Harrison, Shaw
Monday, March 23
NCAA First Round Recap
Sunday, March 22
Mark Kellogg, Meme Wheeler & Jordan Harrison | NCAA First Round vs. Miami (OH)
Saturday, March 21
NCAA Tournament Trailer
Friday, March 20
