After scoring a season-high 91 points as well as a season-high 51.9 percent shooting performance from, West Virginia men’s basketball was poised to try and carry their recent momentum from an upset win over No. 3 Kansas.
They took that momentum to Addition Financial Arena in Orlando, Florida, but it was quickly put to an end as UCF’s defense smothered WVU on offense, and the Mountaineers took a step back in a 72-59 on Tuesday night.
It took just 1:45 into the game for West Virginia (7-12, 2-4 Big 12) to call their first timeout as they were on their heels. UCF (12-6, 3-3 Big 12) started the game on an 8-0 run, as they took advantage of early turnovers, and their size was a problem for the Mountaineers.
UCF was in front 10-5 after WVU weathered the early storm, with turnovers being the Achilles heel. WVU turned the ball over three times, leading to seven of those 10 points, while the Knights held an early rebounding advantage as well.
Both those trends continued not only throughout the rest of the first half, but throughout the rest of the game.
UCF led by as many as 18 in the first half, as the Mountaineers turned the ball over seven times, leading to 13 points for the Knights. WVU also didn’t do themselves any favors as they made just eight shots from the field and had six shots blocked.
Trailing 37-24 at halftime, WVU needed a spark offensively to turn the tide in the second half. WVU forced a couple early turnovers, but they couldn’t convert on the offensive end. UCF on the other hand, made two three’s in the first four minutes, extending their lead to 18.
The Knights’ lead would jump to as many as 21 as RaeQuan Battle was hit with two technical fouls and was ejected, while the Knights scored six straight points and were in front 55-34 with 10:41 to play.
Battle was held to just five points on 2 for 6 shooting.
Josiah Harris would come off the bench late in the second half, hitting three three-pointers within roughly a five-minute span, as the final three began a 6-0 WVU run and forced a UCF timeout with 4:11 to play as they trailed by 11.
Harris ended up being WVU’s leading scorer with 15 points, while no other Mountaineer reached double digits scoring. The Mountaineers as a team shot 36 percent from the field and went 11 for 28 from distance.
UCF was led offensively by Jaylin Sellers who finished with 18 points on 5 for 11 shooting. The Knights owned the rebounding advantage as well, 45-34, and had 13 second chance points, and 18 points off of 11 turnovers forced.
The Mountaineers conclude their two-game road swing on Saturday against Oklahoma State. Tip-off is set. For 2:00 p.m. EST.
