WVU Basketball Claims Crown, Winning OT Thriller Over Oklahoma

WVU basketball ended the season on a high note with an 89-82 victory over Oklahoma in the College Basketball Crown Tournament in Las Vegas Sunday, securing a $300 thousand prize.

WVU had a hot start, going up 8-0 after five points from senior forward Brenen Lorient and a three-pointer by senior guard Treysen Eaglestaff. Oklahoma failed to score until the 16-52 mark in the first half with a three-pointer by sophomore forward Derrion Reid.

The next six made shots for WVU were all from three-point range, with senior guard Honor Huff drilling five of them and freshman forward DJ Thomas making the other one for a 26-11 lead.

Oklahoma came storming back with an 11-2 run that forced a timeout call from WVU head coach Ross Hodge. The scoring run continued for the Sooners, as WVU’s lead dwindled to just one point at 28-27.

Fifth-year guard Chance Moore made a physical layup before an and-one inside score by senior forward Tae Davis to tie the game at 30-30. Oklahoma took its first lead of the day at the 3:33 mark with a layup by freshman forward Kai Rogers.

Moore broke the WVU scoring drought again with four points and Huff went three-for-three from the free throw line in the closing minutes as the Mountaineers went into the half down 41-37.

Oklahoma scored the first four points of the second half before Eaglestaff hit a corner three. Senior center Harlan Obioha added a layup before a 7-0 run by OU made the score 54-42.

Moore had an open lane for a dunk and added a layup after a three by Oklahoma. Eventually, WVU went on an 8-2 run to cut the Oklahoma lead to 61-54.

An 8-3 run soon after brought the score within three for WVU at 67-64. OU extended the lead with a four-point swing but WVU scored seven unanswered points to tie it up at 71-71 with 1:45 left in regulation.

Senior guard Nijel Pack made a three to put the Sooners on top, but Huff responded by rattling home a three-pointer as well. He made two free throws on the following possession to give WVU its first lead of the second half with 33 seconds left.

Davis made a layup to tie the game at 76-76 and huff missed a driving shot on the other end, resulting in overtime.

WVU went down by six to start overtime. However, senior guard Jasper Floyd and Huff drilled a trio of threes, with Floyd making the first and third for an 85-82 lead. Huff went to the line for two free throws and was fouled in transition on the possession after, making all four shots and securing an 89-82 win.

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