WVU Basketball

WVU G Erik Stevenson Didn’t See Team Energy in Loss to Texas Tech

Published

1 year ago

February 18, 2023

Photo: Kelsie LeRose / WVSN

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia guard Erik Stevenson explained how his team lost to Texas Tech at home in a must-win situation on Saturday.

“There’s no energy, that’s what it was,” Stevenson said. “We didn’t come out wanting to win.”

Stevenson recorded 24 points on 9-of-21 shooting from the field.

“[Stevenson] shot it 21 times. He had to have some energy,” WVU head coach Bob Huggins said. “It’s okay for him to go 9-for-21, though? Please. We’re up eight. All we’ve got to do is take care of the ball. Run good offense.”

Stevenson, along with Kedrian Johnson, combined for 44 of West Virginia’s 72 points. Other significant players like Emmitt Matthews, Tre Mitchell and Joe Toussaint combined for 12 points on 5-of-18 from the field.

WVU’s offense scored 72 points despite the inconsistent results throughout the game. The defense was more of a reason why West Virginia lost their third-straight game.

The Mountaineers allowed 42 points in the paint to Texas Tech. TTU’s big men Kevin Obanor and Fardaws Aimaq only made four field goals together and Texas Tech still dominated the paint.

“We gave up 78 points to arguably the worst team in the league. We let guys score who don’t score those numbers,” Stevenson said.

WVU was out-rebounded by 11 and turned the ball over 14 times.

“We had a fifth-year guy throw the ball out of bounds. Can you explain that? I can’t. I don’t have any idea of how to explain that,” Huggins said. “Why would we do that? Why would that happen? Why would you just take it and throw it? I don’t know.”

West Virginia will have to get over this loss quickly as they host Oklahoma State on Monday night at the WVU Coliseum.

“Just got to look in the mirror and move on,” Stevenson said.