WVU Basketball Routed by No. 1 Arizona in Tucson

WVU basketball never made it within 20 points in the second half against No. 1 Arizona before finally falling 88-53 to the Wildcats Saturday.

Arizona took advantage first with a quick five-point swing to start before senior guard Treysen Eaglestaff put WVU on the board with a layup.

Another five-point response from Arizona put the Wildcats up 10-2. Eaglestaff had a jumper at the 17:14 mark for a score of 10-4.

Senior forward Brenen Lorient added a turnaround mid-range jumper before Arizona went on an 11-2 run for a commanding 22-8 lead.

Senior guard Honor Huff followed with WVU’s first made three-pointer of the game and fifth-year guard Chance Moore banked in another from the left wing. After a three from Arizona freshman forward Ivan Kharchenkov, Moore added a layup for a score of 25-16.

Arizona proceeded to double-up the Mountaineers with a seven-point run for a 32-16 score. Eaglestaff made his first three of the game to end the run, but Arizona kept swinging for a 43-23 lead at the half.

The Wildcats kept their momentum rolling into the second half with a 10-4 scoring performance in the first four minutes for a 53-27 lead. Moore added a dunk and Eaglestaff made WVU’s first three of the half in an attempt to provide a spark, but Arizona followed with seven straight points.

The Mountaineers traded baskets with Arizona, but never found enough footing to dig into the lead. The closest WVU ever had the margin in the second half was 21 points, the same as halftime.

Arizona controlled the game the rest of the way, as the only excitement in the final 10 minutes was a three-pointer by senior center Harlan Obioha with 1:43 remaining.

The loss drops WVU to 13-7 overall and 4-3 in Big 12 play.

WVU basketball will play again at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday When the Mountaineers host Kansa State.

Find more coverage of WVU basketball and at WV Sports Now.