West Virginia Knocks Off Michigan State

Saturday, December 21

Orlando, Fla.

1:30 p.m.

West Virginia University

8-1,0-0Big 12

Michigan State

7-4,0-0Big Ten

Michigan St.

West Virginia

Photo by: Katie MacCrory

December 21, 2019 04:55 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Box Score Season Stats

By: Tanner Cain

ORLANDO, Fla. – The No. 22/25 West Virginia University women's basketball team earned its eighth win of the season on Saturday afternoon, as the Mountaineers defeated No. 19/23 Michigan State, 63-57, at Warden Arena in Orlando.

Sophomore forward Kari Niblack led the Mountaineers (8-1) in scoring, as she posted a career-high 21 points. Redshirt junior guard Kysre Gondrezick (14 points) and redshirt senior guard Tynice Martin (11 points) also finished in double-figures for WVU. Niblack and redshirt freshman Rochelle Norris tied for the team lead in rebounding, with eight.

Niblack also tallied a career-high seven blocks in the victory over the Spartans (7-4). Her seven blocks marked the most blocks in a game since Nov. 19, 2016, when Lanay Montgomery also recorded seven against Coppin State.

Niblack helped the Mountaineers take an early lead just fifteen seconds into the game, as she scored under the basket. The Spartans went on to score the next six points before Niblack struck again and converted on a three-point play to cut into Michigan State's lead. Sophomore guard Madisen Smith tied it up at the 5:35 mark of the first by hitting a 3-pointer, before Niblack scored again to retake the lead before the first-quarter media timeout.

The Spartans retook the lead on a 5-0 scoring run, but Martin cut into the lead by converting on a pair of free throws. Freshman guard Kirsten Deans tied the game with a minute to go in the first, as she hit a step-back jumper from 3-point range. West Virginia and Michigan State headed to the second quarter tied at 15-15.

Michigan State struck first to open the second quarter by scoring five points early, but r Gondrezick converted a pair of free throws and scored on a fast break to keep the game close. Martin then added a jumper from the top of the arc to cut the MSU lead to one, as WVU headed to the second media timeout.

MSU hit a pair of 3-pointers coming out of the timeout to take a 28-21 lead. Niblack then converted her second and-one of the game and move into double figures with 2:29 left in the first half to cut MSU's lead to three points. Junior center Blessing Ejiofor scored at the rim to close out the second quarter, as the Mountaineers headed to the locker room at halftime trailing 30-27.

West Virginia came out firing to start the second half, as Gondrezick quickly hit a 3-pointer to tie the game. Niblack scored the next four points and Smith added a layup as the Mountaineers kept Michigan State at bay. WVU led MSU by three heading into the third quarter media timeout.

The Mountaineers fell behind after Michigan State converted a pair of free throws and scored on a fast break, but freshman forward responded with a pair of free throws of her own to retake the lead for WVU. A free-throw by senior guard Lucky Rudd and another 3-pointer from Deans helped West Virginia take a 45-42 lead heading into the final quarter.

WVU opened the fourth quarter strong, as Niblack scored five points for the Mountaineers to keep the lead, as Michigan State called a timeout with just under six minutes to play. Gondrezick added a fast-break layup before the final media timeout. The Spartans cut into the deficit, but Niblack and Martin added five points to sustain the lead heading into the final minute. A pair of Gondrezick free throws gave WVU a four-point lead heading into the last 20 seconds, before Martin also hit a pair with seven seconds left to seal the Mountaineer victory.

West Virginia shot 20-of-59 (33.9%) and made six 3-pointers, while shooting 17-of-20 (85.0%) from the free-throw line. The Mountaineers tallied an assist on 12 of its 20 made field goals. WVU out-rebounded Michigan State 41-39 and forced 18 turnovers. The Mountaineers held the advantage in points off turnovers (16-13), points in the paint (24-22), second-chance points (14-9) and fast-break points (9-6).

Michigan State finished 21-of-60 (35.0%) from the field, including 5-of-16 (31.3%) from 3-point range. Nia Clouden led the Spartans in scoring, adding 16 points, and tied with Taiyier Parks for the team lead in rebounds, with eight.

West Virginia continues play at the Florida Sunshine Classic tomorrow, as the team is set to square off with Syracuse at 1:30 p.m. ET at Warden Arena. Sunday's contest against the Orange marks the 24th meeting all-time between the two teams.