Opinion
Takeaways: WVU Basketball Minus Lorient Struggles Against No. 3 ISU
The WVU basketball team is 0-1 in Big 12 play after an 80-59 loss to No. 3 Iowa State. Here is what stood out from WVU’s first test in conference play.
Lorient Absence Felt
The Mountaineers were without starting senior forward Brenen Lorient on Friday – he’s day-to-day with an injury. And his impact was missed by WVU in the contest Friday.
Iowa State has multiple playmakers at the forward position, including junior Milan Momcilovic who finished the game with 26 points. Having the extra size from Lorient could have been useful on the defensive end.
WVU also struggled rebounding, hauling in just 23 compared to 35 by the Cyclones. Lorient averages 5.7 rebounds per game and with just two from senior center Harlan Obioha, the Mountaineers missed the extra effort on the boards.
Iowa State Turned Up the Heat From Three
In the midst of multiple shortcomings from WVU, Iowa State had a ver impressive night from beyond the three-point line, going 13-25. In particular, Momcilovic led the way with eight threes on 10 attempts.
Senior guard Tamin Lipsey added two while freshman guard Jamarion Bateman went a perfect 3-3 from three-point range.
Offense Had No Answer
WVU’s offense sputtered once again, as the Mountaineers were unable to keep up with Iowa State’s efficiency. WVU shot a collective 7-24 from three-point range.
Scoring droughts haunted WVU once again, as there were multiple scoring runs from Iowa State. WVU did not convert from the floor in the second half until the 15:33 mark with a layup from fifth-year guard Chance Moore. Until that point, WVU had just six points to start the half, all from the free throw line.
Moore was the only true spark WVU had Friday, as he went 7-13 from the floor. Señor guard Honor Huff, the team’s leading scorer, was held in check after making the games first shot with a corner three, as he finished with a season-low six points.
Senior guard Treysen Eaglestaff finished with six points as well, going 2-4 from the floor, all shots from three.
WVU basketball will play again at 7 p.m. on Jan. 6 at the Hope Coliseum when the Mountaineers host the Cincinnati Bearcats.
Find more coverage of WVU basketball at WV Sports Now.
WVU vs the world
January 4, 2026 at 10:52 am
This was simply bad coaching. WVU needs to drive to the basket more. They rely too much on outside shooting. You can’t use the excuse of one player being missing. Huggs would win with multiple players missing. The more you drive to the basket, the more fouls get called.You get aggressive players too back off and get to the foul line for points. They also need more offensive rebounds for second chance shots. If I can figure this out, a good should be able to.
Blair Nolan
January 4, 2026 at 11:59 am
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jackson five
January 4, 2026 at 11:36 pm
could have been,, is for losers..