West Virginia Ends Conference Road Losing Streak, Defeating Texas Tech 76-61

In a matchup between the ninth and tenth place Big 12 teams, West Virginia got a much-needed win over Texas Tech, winning 76-61.

With the win, West Virginia (12-8, 2-6 Big 12) ends their 12-game conference road losing streak, which dated back to last season. WVU’s last Big 12 road win was against TCU on Feb. 23, 2021.

WVU head coach Bob Huggins showed zero patience in the first minutes of the game, benching all five starters for some usual bench players. West Virginia’s bench got the Mountaineers back into the game mid-way through the first half. WVU’s bench finished with 50 points.

West Virginia’s out-scored Texas Tech’s bench by 35 points.

Guards Joe Toussaint and Seth Wilson led WVU in scoring off the bench. Toussaint finished with a game-high 22 points on 4-of-9 shooting from the field. Wilson recorded a career-high with 15 points on 5-of-11 shooting from three.

WVU F James Okonkwo hit a big and-one opportunity to continue to hold off the Red Raiders. Okonkwo was another piece off the bench that stepped up against TTU, finishing with five points and 10 rebounds. Okonkwo had a big-time block on TTU big Daniel Batcho, who was going up for a dunk.

WVU G Erik Stevenson hit four-consecutive free throws to give West Virginia their first lead of the game at 22-21. Mountaineers have struggled with free throws over the past month, shooting the worst in the Big 12. WVU shot 28-of-35 from the line on Wednesday.

Stevenson finished with a 16-point double double.

Texas Tech forward Fardaws Aimaq missed the game with a bruised foot. Aimaq has dealt with a foot injury for the entire season and returned for three games this month. Wednesday marked the first game Aimaq missed since returning. Aimaq averages 10.0 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. Texas Tech freshman Pop Isaacs left the game with a right ankle injury early in the second half and didn’t return to the game.

West Virginia heads back home to host No. 15 Auburn in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge. Mountaineers and Tigers will tipoff at noon at the WVU Coliseum on Saturday.