Box Score
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University women's basketball team held Houston scoreless in the opening quarter on its way to a dominant, 80-39, victory on Wednesday night at the WVU Coliseum in Morgantown.
The effort marks the first time in program history the Mountaineers have held a team scoreless in a quarter. West Virginia's previous best was limiting TCU to just one point in the opening quarter of a game on Jan. 25, 2022.
West Virginia raced out of the gates, scoring the game's first 19 points of the contest into the initial stages of the second quarter. WVU forced seven turnovers in the opening frame while holding the Cougars scoreless for the opening 10:54 of action.
Houston missed its opening 13 attempts from the floor, before hitting their first shot a minute into the second quarter. The Mountaineers held Houston well below its season scoring average of 74.9 points.
West Virginia led 35-8 at the half thanks to a stifling defensive effort. The Mountaineers were able to extend its lead to as many as 43 points in the fourth quarter, to easily secure its fourth win in Big 12 Conference play.
The Mountaineers' (15-2, 4-2 Big 12) scoring efforts were led by junior guard
JJ Quinerly, who tallied a game-best 18 points. It marks the 11th time this season she has led WVU's scoring effort and her 16th time in double-figures.
Fifth-year senior
Lauren Fields notched her first double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Senior forward
Kylee Blacksten and sophomore guard
Jordan Harrison also finished in double figures with 14 and 12 points, respectively.
Junior
Kyah Watson added 10 rebounds, marking the first time this season two Mountaineers have hit double figures on the glass. Quinerly and Watson each added four steals as Harrison dished out seven assists.
The 39 allowed by the Mountaineers match a season-best, tying the mark set on Nov. 7 in the season opener against Loyola Maryland.
Defensively, West Virginia forced 22 Cougar turnovers, reaching 20-plus for the 16th time this season, and tallied 13 steals for the second straight contest.
The Mountaineers shot 52.7% (29-of-55) from the floor and held the Cougars to a mark of 27.9% (17-of-61). WVU kept Houston out of rhythm from beyond the arc, limiting UH to just one 3-pointer and a 4.5% mark.
Also of note, fifth-year senior
Jayla Hemingway played in her 100th career game at West Virginia.
Next up, West Virginia takes on Cincinnati at 4 p.m. ET inside Fifth Thirds Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio. The contest will be broadcast on Big 12 Now. Additionally, fans can listen to the game on the Mountaineer Sports Network.
