West Virginia continue slide as they fall to Oklahoma State

West Virginia concluded their Oklahoma road trip on Tuesday night, falling to the Oklahoma State Cowgirls 76-65, their third straight loss.

The Mountaineers (14-8, 5-6) got off to a slow start once again, allowing the Cowgirls to score the first seven points of the game. West Virginia was able to respond with a quick 8-0 run of their own though, scoring eight consecutive points in just 56 seconds to take an 8-7 lead on a Madisen Smith three pointer. 

The Mountaineers lack of rebounding would rear its ugly head throughout the quarter, being out-rebounded 13-6, and allowing seven second chance points. West Virginia would finish the first quarter down 23-15. 

West Virginia cleaned up their rebounding efforts in the second quarter, with both teams grabbing nine rebounds, and were able to hold the Cowgirls to just two second chance points. West Virginia cut the deficit to as low as three with 1:30 remaining in the half on a Sarah Bates three pointer. The Cowgirls responded with a layup by Anna Gret Asi to give them a 39-34 halftime advantage. 

West Virginia came out in the third quarter on a 9-4 run over the first three minutes, and tied the game for the first time since the first quarter on a Jayla Hemingway layup. After trading baskets for much of the quarter, Oklahoma State was able to take a nine point lead with 48 seconds left in the quarter on a Lior Garzon three pointer.. The Mountaineers would find themselves down seven heading into the fourth quarter after a Danni Nichols layup 27 seconds remaining.

West Virginia’s offense would stall in the fourth quarter, being held scoreless for the first 5:50 seconds of the quarter. In that time the Cowgirls would go on a 8-0 run and open their lead up to 69-54. Danni Nichols would finally end the drought with a layup, but the Cowgirls lead proved to be too much to overcome. Oklahoma State led by double digits the rest of the way en route to their 75-65 victory. 

JJ Quinerly led West Virginia with 18 points, with Madisen Smith just behind scoring 16 points, including four three pointers and five assists. West Virginia was once again dominated on the glass, being out-rebounded 41-25, the third straight game they have been out-rebounded by double figures. 

West Virginia will return home to face No. 21 Iowa State on Saturday at 6 p.m.