WVU’s Second Half Play Gets Through Drexel, 66-60

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia secured their fourth win of the season, outlasting Drexel 66-60. West Virginia went into halftime trailing by two points with not much energy. The second half was a different story.

WVU F Akok Akok provided a nice sequence for the Mountaineers (4-5) early in the second frame. Akok had a block on one end and then scored five-consecutive points to help extend WVU’s lead. Akok returned to the court on Wednesday vs. Pitt in the Backyard Brawl loss after six weeks not playing. Akok played once again against Drexel (5-5), recording five points, two assists, one rebound and one block in just 12 minutes.

Akok’s spark in the second half helped West Virginia get in rhythm. Saturday marked the third game all season the Mountaineers won the second half.

Heading into Saturday, West Virginia was shooting 28% from three on the season. The Mountaineers showed signs of good perimeter shooting in the first half, shooting 5-of-8. WVU went back to missing their perimeter shots but still finished 41% as a team.

Early in the first half, WVU G Seth Wilson checked into the game and immediately hit back-to-back threes. Wilson, who has shot poorly this season, provided a spark for West Virginia as they trailed 15-6 at the time he came into the game. Wilson ended the afternoon with 11 points on 4-of-8 shooting.

Other notable scorers for WVU: Jesse Edwards (16), Quinn Slazinski (14).

Drexel gave West Virginia issues on the rebounding end. The Dragons out-rebounded WVU 39-30.

Heading into the game, both West Virginia and Drexel were bottom-50 in the country in adjusted tempo per KenPom.

West Virginia will have a week off before traveling to Springfield, Mass. for the Basketball Hall of Fame Classic against UMass. This will be starting guard Kerr Kriisa’s season debut for WVU as he completes his nine-game suspension. The Mountaineers and Minutemen will tipoff at 6:30 p.m. on ESPNU.