WVU Women’s Basketball Can’t Seal the Deal Against No. 17 Texas Tech

WVU Women’s Basketball went blow for blow with undefeated No. 17 Texas Tech for 58 minutes on Wednesday, Jan. 7. The Mountaineers (13-3, 3-1 Big 12) couldn’t seal the deal, however, falling 71-66 at the Hope Coliseum.

Jordan Harrison (22 points) set a season high in scoring after an inconsistent start to the year, while Sydney Shaw, Kierra Wheeler and Carter McCray all finished in double figures. Mark Kellogg gave just 15 minutes to his bench as the Mountaineers emptied the tank; Texas Tech senior Snudda Collins contributed 19 points off the bench, combining with Bailey Maupin (27 points) to do the vast majority of the damage.

McCray scored West Virginia’s first five points, helping them stay in the game early until a 9-0 run that included and-ones from Harrison and Wheeler put them in front 14-10. A Maupin three and a Collins jumper snatched the lead back at the end of the quarter, and Texas Tech led 31-28 at the half.

West Virginia made their mark in the third quarter, pulling in front with a 7-0 run McCray began with another and-one.

Free throws helped the Mountaineers push their lead to 56-50, their largest of the night, as both teams struggled to make shots from the field early in the fourth quarter. Maupin’s first of two three-pointers ended that stretch; her second put the Lady Raiders in front 62-61, and from there Texas tech made nine of 10 free throws to close things out.

Up next, WVU Women’s Basketball’s schedule will get even more difficult, as they travel to face No. 11 Iowa State at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 11.