After the first four games of the season, the West Virginia women’s basketball team was undefeated, and 51 points was the most they allowed in any game. That changed when they met No. 11 NC State in their second game of the Cancun Challenge.
The Mountaineers surrendered a season-high 78 points against the Wolfpack, 27 above the previous high, as well as scoring a season-low 40 points, 24 below their previous lowest scoring night. The Wolfpack were able to dominate West Virginia in the paint, with a 46-16 points in the paint advantage, and a 57-31 rebounding advantage.
The Cancun Challenge wasn’t all bad for the Mountaineers though, with West Virginia earning a 64-33 win over Central Michigan in their first game of the tournament. The WVU defense was able to generate 24 turnovers in the game, which has been a staple of their season so far, ranking 7th nationally after five games. The Mountaineers also never trailed in the game, starting the game on a 8-0 run, and never looking back en route to their 31 point victory.
To go along with forcing 26 turnovers per game, the Mountaineers are also tied for 5th in the country in points allowed per game, allowing only 48 points per game. The Mountaineers also take good care of the basketball themselves, tied for 16th best in the nation in turnovers per game, only turning the ball over 12 times per game. Their combination of forcing turnovers and taking care of the basketball themselves has West Virginia 3rd in the country in turnover margin.
Offensively the Mountaineers have been led by 5th year guard Madisen Smith, averaging 12.4 points per game, to go along with 2.6 assists per game, which is second best on the team. Sophomore guard JJ Quinerly is the other Mountaineer scoring in double-figures, averaging 11.4 points a game, 4.2 rebounds per game, which is 4th best on team and 2.4 assists per game, which is 3rd best on the team.
West Virginia currently has the sixth-best record in the Big 12 at 4-1, with Kansas at 7-0, Kansas State 7-1, and Oklahoma, Iowa State and Texas Tech all at 5-1
The Mountaineers will have three straight home games coming up, playing NC Central on Nov. 30, Delaware State on Dec. 3, and Robert Morris on Dec. 8 to conclude the home stand.
Photo by Aaron Parker
