The West Virginia men’s basketball team fell to No. 6 Houston in a rebound game Wednesday evening. The Cougars overpowered the Mountaineers just two weeks ago in their own territory.
Houston started off with an 8-0 lead with back-to- back shots behind the arc by L.J. Cryer. The Cougars dominated down low with 18 points in the paint and seven second-chance points off of seven offensive rebounds. The Mountaineers only posted ten total rebounds.
The first half ended with a score of 19-39, the second lowest number of points scored in a half by West Virginia this season. Joseph Yesufu led the Mountaineers with five points.
The beginning of the second half looked completely different for the Mountaineers. Starting off with an 11-0 run they turned the Cougars’ 20-point lead into single digits and forced six turnovers in the first seven minutes. Houston posted 14 turnovers compared to their season average of 8.7.
Javon Small gave the Mountaineers a scare midway through the half following a lower leg injury. The standout returned just a few minutes later.
The Cougars began to pull away late in the half moving their lead back into double digits. The Mountaineers continued to struggle with defensive rebounds allowing the Cougars 16 second-chance points in the half.
West Virginia hopes to snap their losing streak in their away game at Cincinnati Sunday afternoon.
