West Virginia’s Defense Falls Apart against Texas Tech

No. 12 West Virginia fell in its first Big 12 rematch of the season 89-81 to Texas Tech Wednesday night.

The Mountaineers (16-4, 4-3 Big 12) allowed Texas Tech (13-7, 4-3) to shoot 54.3% from the floor, one of the highest shooting percentages they have allowed this season.

WVU had the lowest opponent field goal percentage in the Big 12, allowing just 35.8% from the floor and 25.7% from three. Tech shot 11-21 (52.4%) in the first half and 14-25 (56%) in the second.

Texas Tech was led by Davide Moretti (25 points), Jahmi’us Ramsey (21) and Terrence Shannon Jr. (23). West Virginia’s leading scorers were Derek Culver (16 points) and Gabe Osabuohien (15).

It was a chippy game throughout as the teams combined for 56 personal fouls with four technical fouls. West Virginia shot 41 free throws on the day, a season-high. Culver went 14-16 from the line.

Texas Tech out-rebounded West Virginia 32-23. This was just the fourth time this season West Virginia has been out-rebounded, with the nine rebounds the largest deficit of the season. Culver entered the game averaging 9.3 rebounds but grabbed only two boards on the night. Freshman Oscar Tshiebwe entered averaging 9.4 and had only three.

WVU held the advantage in turnovers (22-11), points off turnovers (29-14) and bench points (42-4).

This was West Virginia’s first Big 12 rematch of the season, previously defeating the Red Raiders 66-54 on Jan. 11. In that matchup, the Red Raiders shot only 21-74 (28.4%) from the floor and 6-28 (21.4%) from three. Moretti was the leading scorer with 16 points.

West Virginia’s next game will be another conference rematch against the Kansas State Wildcats on Saturday at 2 p.m. The Wildcats upset WVU 84-68 on Jan. 18.