The West Virginia women’s basketball team put it all on display Wednesday, defeating Houston 80-39 in dominating fashion causing 22 turnovers, winning their second game in a row after having dropped two straight previously and falling out of the AP poll.
West Virginia got the upper hand early scoring 19 points unanswered before Houston’s first bucket, holding them scoreless in the first quarter completely with seven forced turnovers.
J.J. Quinerly had eight of West Virginia’s 17 points in the first quarter continuing her impressive play from the UCF game Saturday where she scored her 1,000th point.
Lauren Fields and Jordan Harrison dominated the boards in the first with five rebounds each helping the Mountaineers create opportunities.
Maliyah Johnson got Houston on the board with an and-one early in the second quarter, ending an over 10-minute drought.
The first half ended in a 35-8 Mountaineer lead with Houston committing seven more turnovers in the second quarter, they shot 3-26 (11.5%) during the first half partially due to a strong WVU defensive effort allowing the Mountaineers to take full advantage and build a very comfortable lead heading into the locker room.
At the start of the third, Houston’s Bria Patterson made a layup which was answered less than a minute later with a three made by Kylee Blacksten, increasing West Virginia’s lead to 28.
West Virginia would gradually build their lead as the quarter went on, but the Cougars found slightly more success from the field scoring 14 points and shooting an improved 37.5% from the field in the third, they had seven more turnovers in the quarter.
Blacksten would hit another three and make both of her free throws in the third quarter adding eight points for the Mountaineers, increasing her total to 12 for the game before the fourth.
Starting the fourth quarter, West Virginia was up 59-22 as they looked to close out the game.
The Cougars only turnover the ball over once in the final quarter of play.
Mark Kellogg’s squad never took their foot off the pedal, continuing to stay in complete control in the last quarter.
They scored 21 points in the fourth quarter to solidify the victory.
Quinerly was West Virginia’s top scorer/performer with 18 points, five rebounds, four assists and four steals, but many other Mountaineers had productive nights with four players ending in double-digit points.
Fields ended with a double-double scoring 10 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, she also had two blocks and a steal.
Blacksten was just behind Quinerly with 14 points, shooting 5-10, 2-3 from the line with two rebounds and two steals.
Harrison ended with 12 points, seven rebounds and seven steals.
Kyah Watson got 10 rebounds and four steals to go along with six points.
WVU will be on the road against Cincinnati on Saturday as they look to build off a thrilling performance from Wednesday.
