Takeaways: WVU Had Opportunity For Road Upset vs. Iowa State

WVU Basketball took a 51-50 lead with nine minutes to go vs. No. 6 Iowa State. West Virginia ended up going on a scoring drought and lost the game 71-64. Let’s look at some takeaways from the game.

WVU Did Make a Road Game Competitive

West Virginia has struggled away from home this season, going winless through 11 combined true road and neutral site games. Hilton Coliseum in Ames is one of the most hostile environments in the country as Iowa State is 16-0 at home this year. The Mountaineers had a lead with nine minutes to go after a Kobe Johnson three-pointer. The lead didn’t last long as Iowa State proceeded to go on a 14-0 run.

WVU’s point differential in Big 12 road games this season was -117 heading into the ISU game. To be able to compete with a top team in a place they haven’t lost at all season, West Virginia played well despite a season-high 23 turnovers.

Turnover Issues Getting Worse

As stated above, West Virginia’s 23 turnovers vs. Iowa State was a season high and cost them the game. Iowa State scored 29 points off of those turnovers and helped spark their offense. Kerr Kriisa (5), Jesse Edwards (5) and Josiah Harris (4) led the way with turnovers for WVU. The Mountaineers are averaging 16.8 turnovers in the last four games.

Turnovers have emerged as a problem for West Virginia as the team added Kriisa, RaeQuan Battle and Noah Farrakhan into the rotation mid-year. WVU was able to maintain their turnovers early into the season when they were forced to play slowly.

West Virginia will prepare for Kansas State on Monday in Manhattan, Ks. WVU is seeking for win No. 10 and their first road win of the season.