The West Virginia Mountaineers men’s basketball team improved to 3-1 with a blowout win over Iona on Wednesday night.
WVU never trailed throughout the game.
The team was led by Oklahoma State transfer Javon Small, who scored 23 points on 7-of-14 shooting, including 5-of-9 from beyond the arc. Tucker DeVries added 13 points, while freshman Jonathan Powell contributed 11.
First-Half Comparison
WVU shot exceptionally well in this matchup, contrasting with its recent road loss to Pittsburgh. In the first half, the Mountaineers hit nine three-pointers (9-of-22) compared to Iona’s three (3-of-9).
Overall, WVU shot 44.4% from the field in the first half, while the Gaels managed just 28.6%.
Points Off Turnovers
West Virginia’s defense shone, with 11 steals and 11 blocks, leading to 26 points off turnovers. The Mountaineers capitalized on Iona’s mistakes, letting their defense fuel their offense. Iona managed only seven points off turnovers in comparison.
Second-Chance Opportunities
Another key to the Mountaineers’ commanding lead was their dominance in second-chance opportunities. WVU scored 19 points in this area and controlled the boards throughout the game.
The Mountaineers will next face No. 3 Gonzaga in the first round of the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament on Wednesday.
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