WVU Women’s Basketball Survives Scare Against George Washington

WVU Women’s Basketball celebrated Thanksgiving with a 54-51 win over the George Washington Revolutionaries at the San Juan Shootout in Puerto Rico.

Through the first four games of the season, strong defensive play has defined the Mountaineers. Thursday was more of the same, as they limited George Washington to 51 points while forcing 25 turnovers. West Virginia’s offense struggled mightily, though, turning the ball over 16 times despite just six turnovers forced by the Revolutionaries. The Mountaineers made just 30.6 percent of shots from the field and 58.3 percent from the free throw line, which made it hard for them to put George Washington away.

Neither side got much going in the first 20 minutes of play. The two teams went back and forth with five lead changes as the teams tried to settle in. The Revolutionaries controlled the pace of play early in the second period, but the Mountaineers took over with a late 9-3 run, heading into the half up 25-20.

West Virginia started hot in the second half, building up their largest lead of the afternoon at 40-30. The Revolutionaries dug their heels in then, going on a 19-7 run to take a two point lead midway through the fourth quarter.

Guard JJ Quinerly took over from there to give the Mountaineers breathing room, stealing the ball with 4:34 to play on the way to a game-tying layup. The Revolutionaries committed an offensive foul, giving West Virginia the lead off a free throw from Jordan Harrison.

Forward Kylee Blacksten logged a steal on the ensuing possession, which ended with the Mountaineers taking the lead 52-49 — this time, for good — off two more Quinerly free throws.

WVU Women’s Basketball continues their Caribbean tournament trip with a game against the Charlotte 49ers at 10am on Friday, November 24.