West Virginia Cruises 85-67 in Must-Win Scenario Against Oklahoma State

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia cruised to an 85-67 win over Oklahoma State in a must-win scenario. The Mountaineers didn’t trail once on Monday night at the WVU Coliseum.

West Virginia (16-12, 5-10 Big 12) ends their three-game losing streak with the win. Oklahoma State (16-12, 7-8 Big 12), on the other hand, picks up their third-straight loss.

Erik Stevenson hit back-to-back three’s to finalize an 18-1 run with four minutes left in the first half. Oklahoma State went seven minutes with just one point. Heading into the half, West Virginia lead 40-21.

Stevenson has been one of WVU’s most consistent scorers in recent weeks. The Washington native has averaged 25 points in the last four home games. Against the Cowboys, Stevenson had 23 points on 8-of-15 shooting with 5-three’s.

Oklahoma State’s offense struggled the majority of the night, shooting 38 percent from the field.

During the second half, there was a small skirmish between both teams going for a loose ball. As a result, technical fouls were issued to OSU’s Kalib Boone and WVU’s Tre Mitchell. OSU F Woody Newton was ejected from the game after leaving the bench. Boone fouled out also as a result.

Watch: Scrum Over Loose Ball Breaks Out Between West Virginia and Oklahoma State

In the beginning of the second half, Oklahoma State was awarded three free throws on four attempts at the line after confusion by the officials to the players and coaches. Mitchell received a pass and slammed it through the hoop. Mitchell posted 22 points on 8-of-15 shooting.

WVU sophomore forward Mohamed Wague gave quality minutes off the bench, dunking the ball twice with force in the first half. Wague has looked better as of late and continued with six points and four rebounds.

OSU G Avery Anderson has missed the previous five games with a wrist injury. Anderson has been ruled as indefinitely out. Caleb Asberry, a four-year guard, has replaced Anderson in the lineup.

Heading into the game, both West Virginia and Oklahoma State were in Joe Lunardi’s bubble. WVU was listed as “last four in” while OSU was “last four byes.”

West Virginia will take a few days off before traveling to Lawrence, Ks. for a matchup with No. 3 Kansas. WVU is an all-time 0-10 at Phog Allen Fieldhouse and will look to end the streak on Saturday. The Mountaineers and Jayhawks will tipoff at 4 p.m. on ESPN.