WVU Basketball Offense Sputters in Second Half in Loss to Wake Forest

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The WVU basketball team made a first-half comeback against Wake Forest, but the game slipped away in the second as the Mountaineers fell 75-66 at the GoMart Holiday Hoopfest in Charleston, W.Va. on Saturday.

WVU was on the board first with a second-chance lay-in by senior center Harlan Obioha.

Sophomore guard Juke Harris turned the tide for Wake Forest, drilling two three-pointers for a 6-3 score going into the first media timeout.

Despite his fast start, Harris picked up two early fouls, sending him to the bench just before the 15-minute mark in the first half.

Fifth-year guard Chance Moore scored two tough buckets inside to recapture the lead at 7-6 for WVU. After the Demon Deacons took the lead again, senior forward Jackson Fields tied it with an and-one inside score.

WVU was charged a timeout after an unsuccessful challenge when senior forward Brenen Lorient was called for a defensive basket interference.

The Mountaineers eventually found themselves down 27-12 with 5:45 remaining in the first half. However, that soon changed when senior guard Honor Huff hit three straight three-pointers after a layup by Lorient. The 11-point run moved the score to 27-26.

Huff was fouled on another three soon after and made the free throws to tie it at 29 with 2:39 remaining.

Senior guard Jasper Floyd made a three-pointer and freshman forward DJ Thomas made a layup, but Wake Forest equalized both with scores of its own for a 34-34 tie at halftime.

Obioha scored first on the inside to start the second half, but the Demon Deacons responded with an 11-0 run. WVU was forced into a timeout just over three minutes into the half down 45-36.

It was a major struggle to start the second half on offense for WVU, as the Mountaineers had made just four shots from the floor after 12 minutes of play and trailing 58-47.

The Mountaineers cut the lead to single digits with a mid-range jumper from Huff, but Harris responded directly after with a three. However, Huff made his first three of the half to make it 61-52.

Huff added another three with a hand in his face to cut the lead to just five points. The spark didn’t last, as Wake Forest went on a 6-0 run.

The Demon Deacons held on the rest of the way, winning 75-66.

WVU basketball will take the court again at 7 p.m. on Tuesday when it hosts Little Rock.

Find more coverage of WVU basketball at WV Sports Now.