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West Virginia Defeats No. 11 K-State 89-81 in Senior Day Shootout

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Photo: Kelsie LeRose / WVSN

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia defeated No. 11 Kansas State in the regular season finale, 89-81.

West Virginia (18-13, 7-11 Big 12) shot 51 percent from the field, while Kansas State (23-8, 11-7 Big 12) shot 45 percent. Three Mountaineers finished with 20 or more points.

With just 10 minutes left in the game, WVU G Erik Stevenson connected on a three-pointer to bring the coliseum crowd to their feet. A Wildcat turnover seconds later sent West Virginia into the under-12 media timeout with a seven-point lead.

Stevenson, in his last game at the WVU Coliseum, finished with 27 points on 11-of-22 shooting.

West Virginia played a sloppy game against K-State in the first half, recording 12 turnovers. WVU only turned the ball over twice in the second frame.

Kansas State started out the game on an 8-0 run, forcing WVU head coach Bob Huggins to call a timeout just two minutes into the game. The timeout was worth calling as West Virginia went on a 14-5 run of their own to take the lead.

The Mountaineers went into the half with a 39-37 lead.

West Virginia did a great job countering Kansas State’s three-pointers. KSU G Markquis Nowell hit a deep three but it was countered by an open Tre Mitchell.

Mitchell recorded 14 points and six rebounds. Mitchell was one of six Mountaineers to score on Saturday.

KSU’s leading scorer Keyontae Johnson gave West Virginia problems all day, scoring 24 points on 10-of-21 shooting from the field.

WVU honored six seniors during their Senior Day festivities. Kedrian Johnson, Emmitt Matthews, Tre Mitchell, Joe Toussaint, Erik Stevenson and Jimmy Bell all walked. Johnson, Matthews and Stevenson are out of eligibility but Mitchell, Toussaint and Bell have the option to return for a fifth-season of college.

West Virginia University named Mikel Hager as the 69th Mountaineer mascot, during the second half of the game.

West Virginia will take a few days off before heading to Kansas City, Mo. for the Big 12 Conference Tournament. The Mountaineers will find out their opponent and seed line after the conclusion of Texas Tech-Oklahoma State later on Saturday. WVU will for sure play on Wednesday night in the first round.

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