WVU Outlasts Toledo 91-81 Behind Battle’s 29 Points

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia outlasted Toledo in the final minutes 91-81 behind RaeQuan Battle’s great performance on Saturday at the WVU Coliseum.

Following a 29-point performance in his Mountaineer debut, RaeQuan Battle showcased his skills again on Saturday against the Rockets (6-6). Battle scored 29 points on 9-of-15 shooting from the field. At one point, Battle was outscoring Toledo 17-16.

Battle’s hot start helped get West Virginia (5-7) on a hot start, arguably the team’s best stretch this season. The Mountaineers shot 10-of-11 to begin the game and had a 23-3 run. WVU cooled off offensively, but the hot start was able to give them breathing room throughout the rest of the first half.

West Virginia cooled down but struggled to put out Toledo until the final minutes. The Rockets stayed in the game by shooting over 50% in the second half.

Kerr Kriisa found WVU F Josiah Harris for a layup with four minutes to go. This assist gave Kriisa his first double-double of the season. Kriisa had 12 points and 10 assists on Saturday.

WVU G Kobe Johnson was inactive against Radford on Wednesday by a coach’s decision from Josh Eilert. Johnson checked into the game mid-way through the first half. The junior from Ohio recorded 10 minutes.

Other notable scorers for WVU: Quinn Slazinski (14), Noah Farrakhan (12), Akok Akok (9), Josiah Harris (8).

West Virginia was once again without big man Jesse Edwards, who is out for about four weeks with a fractured right wrist. Edwards is averaging 14.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks through 10 games. Edwards got surgery on Wednesday, per Eilert.

Toledo was West Virginia’s last mid-major opponent this season as they have Ohio State and then the Big 12 schedule.

West Virginia will have a week off before traveling to Cleveland, Ohio for a neutral site game with Ohio State. The Mountaineers and Buckeyes will tipoff at 7 p.m. from the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on FOX.