Defense Powers WVU Basketball to Win Over No. 22 Kansas

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – WVU basketball held No. 22 Kansas to just 32 points in the second half en route to an 86-75 upset win Saturday at the Hope Coliseum.

Kansas was on the board first with a pair of free throws from senior guard Melvin Council Jr. Senior forward Brenen Lorient tied it up with an inside score on the other end and senior guard Honor Huff soon after made a three-pointer late in the shot clock for a 5-2 WVU lead.

The Jayhawks struck back with a 6-0 run before WVU took a 9-8 lead at the 16:06 mark.

Freshman forward DJ Thomas knotted the game up at 17 with a three-pointer from the top of the key at 10:28. The Mountaineers reclaimed the lead with a four-point swing to make it 21-19.

The two teams kept landing punches as there were seven lead changes in a span of 3:26 leading up to the 5:38 mark where fifth-year guard Chance Moore hit a three-pointer for a 30-28 WVU lead.

Lorient took over for WVU starting at the 3:21 mark, scoring the team’s next seven points for a 39-36 WVU lead. However, seven straight points from Kansas gave the Jayhawks a 43-39 lead at halftime. Lorient led all scorers with 16 at the break.

Lorient made the first shot of the second half but was followed by five straight points from Kansas. However, WVU went on an 8-0 run which included back-to-back threes from senior guard Treysen Eaglestaff.

WVU went down 59-53 before rattling off a 13-0 run which included seven points from senior guard Jasper Floyd. WVU held Kansas scoreless for 5:34 and went up 64-59, forcing a Kansas timeout at 9:21.

Huff grew the run to 16-0 with a three after the timeout before Kansas finally made it 67-61. Huff Took no time to answer, drilling an and-one three-pointer and made the free throw for a 71-61 WVU lead.

The WVU defense stood strong and helped maintain control as WVU won 86-75, holding Kansas to just 32 second-half points.

WVU basketball will play again at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at No. 7 Houston.

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