WVU Basketball Front Court ‘Key to the Game’ in Kansas Upset

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – WVU basketball topped No. 22 Kansas 86-75 on Saturday, bringing the team to 2-1 in Big 12 play and marking its first ranked win this season. After the dust settled, Kansas head coach Bill Self proclaimed senior center Harlan Obioha and senior forward Brenen Lorient as “key” to WVU’s win in the postgame press conference.

“Fifty-five and zero were the key to the game for them. I thought they both played great,” Self said.

Lorient had a stellar first-half showing, leading all scorers after 20 minutes with 16 on 6-8 shooting, finishing with 18 total.

Head coach Ross Hodge emphasized Lorient’s importance in the first half.

“B-Lo was special in the first half and we needed  every bucket that he got,” Hodge said. “He really kept us in touch in the game. Sixteen first half points, and then just his ability, which he’s displayed at other times this year, to be like a secondary facilitator at that kind of combo forward position.”

Obioha recorded his second double-double of the season with 11 points and 10 rebounds, including six on offense. Hodge said Obioha was very important to the team’s success in the second half.

“And then felt like Harlan really anchored us in the second half and had some huge offensive rebounds and was able to, again, get the ball close to the basket and finish,” Hodge said.

Obioha added how being physical on the boards led to his success Saturday, saying he felt Kansas wearing down as the game went on.

“I think just imposing my will early in the game…  And I think just, trying to be physical with them as early as I can, so then when we start getting to those late game situations, you kind of feel the wear on them, feel them kind of slow down a little bit,” Obioha said.

WVU basketball will play again at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at No. 7 Houston.

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