WVU Women’s Basketball Routes Fairmont State in Exhibition Game

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The WVU women’s basketball team got right back to its winning ways in an exhibition game against Fairmont State Sunday, topping the Falcons 95-43.

The Mountaineer starting lineup had four familiar faces with senior guard Jordan Harrison, senior guard Sydney Woodley, senior guard senior guard Sydney Shaw and sophomore forward Jordan Thomas. Graduate student forward Kierra Wheeler rounded out the starters for WVU.

WVU struck first with a layup by Woodley on a fast break. The Falcons held strong early, but the Mountaineers still had a 16-8 lead heading into the first media timeout.

The Mountaineers held FSU scoreless the rest of the first quarter, adding nine free throws with a three-pointer from Shaw to take a 28-8 lead to the second quarter.

The two teams traded blows throughout the rest of the first half, as WVU took a 22-point 48-26 lead to halftime.

Shaw led all scorers at halftime, going 4-9 from the floor and 1-5 from three-point range. Woodley and redshirt junior guard Gia Cooke followed with eight.

Thomas scored the first points out of halftime with a layup. She and Shaw both added a free throw for a 52-26 WVU lead.

Woodley added seven points in the third quarter, shooting 3-4 from the floor with a free throw.

WVU transfers took over the game in the fourth quarter, as junior guard Loghan Johnson had six points, junior forward Riley Makalusky had five and  junior forward Carter McCray had four.

WVU finished the game with five double-digit scorers – Woodley led the charge with 15. The Mountaineers won the rebounding battle as well, 52-37 with Makalusky adding a team-high 10 boards.

Per usual, the WVU defense stood strong all game, forcing 37 turnovers resulting in 40 points.

The WVU women’s basketball season will tip off at 7 p.m. Nov. 3 at the Hope Coliseum against Purdue Fort Wayne.

Postgame Reaction 

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