Mountaineers Blow Double-Digit Lead in Big 12 Opener at Kansas

West Virginia has never won at Allen Fieldhouse, entering Saturday’s Big 12 opener at Kansas the Mountaineers were 0-7 all-time in Lawrence.

Against the No. 3 Jayhawks (11-2, 1-0 Big 12) the No. 16 Mountaineers (11-2, 0-1) started the game with an effective gameplan and near flawless execution on both ends of the floor.

Freshman big man Oscar Tshiebwe dominated early in the game, scoring 15 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in just the first half. The WVU defense held Kansas to just 8-22 shooting from the floor and forced 10 turnovers.

Only three players even scored for the Jayhawks, Devon Dotson (12 points), Marcus Garret (six) and Udoka Azubuike (six).

Twice in the first half WVU was able to build up 10-points leads, but was never able to put the Jayhawks away and only held a 30-24 lead at halftime.

Kansas came out in the second half and completely flipped the script on West Virginia.

In the second half, Kansas held WVU to 7-25 shooting from the floor while they shot 11-25. The Jayhawks also forced 11 West Virginia turnovers.

Tshiebwe was better contained, scoring just two points in the second half. He finished with 17 points and 17 rebounds. Fellow freshman Miles McBride finished second on the team with 13 points. Sophomore Derek Culver pulled down 12 rebounds in the contest.

Udoka Azubuike (17 points, 11 rebounds), Devon Dotson (16 points) and Marcus Garrett (12 points) led the way for the Jayhawks.

WVU’s x turnovers Saturday was the x most in a game this season, trailing 22 in the team’s loss to St. Johns and 17 in the victory of then-No. 2 Ohio State last Sunday.

West Virginia stays on the road and takes on Oklahoma State in Stillwater on Jan. 6. Tip-off is set for 9 p.m. on ESPN2.