No. 22 BYU Holds Off West Virginia 86-73 After Attempted Comeback

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — No. 22 BYU came into the WVU Coliseum and avoided a West Virginia comeback attempt, winning 86-73.

BYU (16-5, 4-4 Big 12) hit back-to-back threes by Trevin Knell and Jaxson Robinson to answer WVU’s second half run. West Virginia (8-14, 3-6 Big 12) was able to cut the deficit to five before the Cougars took all momentum back right at the last media timeout.

BYU center Fousseyni Traore led the way with 25 points and nine rebounds.

With 14 minutes left in the game, BYU was able to extend their lead to 17 after a Richie Saunders and-one layup. When West Virginia would answer on the other end, BYU would just continue to shoot well from deep.

Kerr Kriisa kept WVU in the game, hitting multiple threes and drawing a charge to gain momentum. Kriisa ended the game with 23 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals on 8-of-14 shooting.

BYU closed the first half on an 11-2 run, heading into the break up nine on West Virginia. The Cougars hit 3-threes in the final five minutes of the first half to position themselves heading into the second frame.

WVU C Jesse Edwards left off where he started from the Cincinnati game vs. BYU. Edwards, who was honored before the game for reaching 1,000 career points, recorded 16 points, seven rebounds and two blocks.

WVU honored long-time broadcaster Jay Jacobs during the under-16 timeout. Jacobs retired back in October and returned to his play-by-play partner Tony Caridi for one last call on the air.

WVU Honors Long-Time Broadcaster Jay Jacobs During BYU Game

WVU F Akok Akok did not participate in Saturday’s game for an unknown reason. Akok has played in 14 games after dealing with a medical issue back in the early stage of the season. The Georgetown transfer is averaging 4.4 points and 3.2 rebounds per game.

BYU was without big man Aly Khalifa due to an illness. Khalifa is averaging 5.8 points and 4.4 rebounds this season.

WVU had a three-game home winning streak going for them prior to BYU. The Mountaineers picked up three Q1/2 victories in the process. West Virginia has won all of their games this season at home.

West Virginia will get a whole week off before traveling to Austin, Texas to take on the Longhorns. WVU defeated Texas 76-73 on Jan. 13, their first conference win of the season. West Virginia will tipoff with Texas at 3 p.m. on Longhorn Network.