MORGANTOWN —
The West Virginia University men’s basketball team, behind 47-40 late in the game, looked like another loser at Texas on Wednesday night.
But the Mountaineers (8-6, 1-1 Big 12) suddenly caught up with a burst of defense and scoring. Then they emerged 57-53 winners in overtime.
That was a refreshing turnabout for the young, struggling team. Instead of blowing a second-half lead, they rallied and refused to fold.
This obviously was encouraging for coach Bob Huggins. He had been running out of reasons trying to explain — and to end — mistakes his players were repeating.
But you could tell Huggins was somewhat relieved and content during his post-game comments with the media.
During one short stretch in the extra period, WVU controlled the ball a minute and 38 seconds with at least three rebounds off its board. That was really impressive.
So was the fact that the Mountaineers wound up with 45 rebounds to 39 by Texas. Kevin Noreen finished with a game-high 13 rebounds.
Aaric Murray, the other 6-foot-10 Mountaineer, chipped in 10 rebounds and 12 points.
West Virginia came up with 11 steals to go with four blocked shots.
Guard Jabarie Hinds scored 11 points. Gary Browne had nine, and senior Deniz Kilicli finished with eight points. He suffered a bleeding cut to the forehead early, but returned to action and continued to perform well.
The Mountaineers still have more work to become better.
They shot only 30.7 percent from the field (19 of 62), made just 3 of 20 shots from 3-point range (missing on 14 consecutive attempts), and committed 11 turnovers.
“I’m really proud of our guys,” a smiling Huggins said.
“I thought to their credit, down the stretch they needed to respond and did.
“They began to understand what we need to do at certain times. I’m proud of them.”
He noted that the players were in the right places as WVU kept changing defenses in the second half.
“We were all on the same page,” Huggins continued. “With that kind of enthusiasm and that kind of intensity, we are going to be fine.”
He noted that they made some good reads and executed some good plays.
“But everybody’s got to get better,” he added.
They feel they’ve found a way out of the doldrums.
West Virginia returns home Saturday to battle Kansas State, ranked No. 18 with a 12-2 overall record and 2-0 record in the Big 12.
Tipoff is 1:30 p.m.
Mickey Furfari
FURFARI COLUMN: WVU tops Texas with neat reversal
- Mickey Furfari
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FURFARI COLUMN- Huggins says transfers not isolated case
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Mike Compton, who was the fifth in West Virginia University’s line of 11 consensus All-America football players, starred on the teams of 1989-90-91-92.
A 6-foot-7, 280-to-295-pound center, he not only excelled on the offensive line, but he was a team captain as a senior. -
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It wasn’t until about a week ago that I found for certain who is responsible to make sure that the Freedom of Information of Act law is enforced in West Virginia.
You may remember that in February 2013, The Dominion Post of Morgantown filed a grand total of 33 FOIA requests against West Virginia University. -
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Lewis Guidi, who unexpectedly died last week in Jefferson (Va.) Hospital at the age of 78, was one of the greatest wrestlers in West Virginia’s athletic history.
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FURFARI COLUMN- Whitmore was standout in football and baseball
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FURFARI COLUMN: Hill picked over Mazey for coach award
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But that award went to Brad Hill, who guided Kansas State to the league’s regular-season championship for the first time in its baseball history. -
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Bill Stewart, who has been deceased since May 21, 2012, was one of the most widely liked and most highly respected football coaches West Virginia University ever had.
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FURFARI COLUMN: Chuck Howley greatest all-around WVU athlete
Chuck Howley’s greatest fame came in football at West Virginia University and then with the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys.
However, making the Wheeling native even more distinguished is the fact he is the only five-sport letterman in WVU athletic history. -
FURFARI COLUMN: WVU should reinstate men’s track — not golf
West Virginia University has not had a men’s golf team since 1982 in its sports program.
But Oliver Luck, who’s been the school’s athletic director going on three years, reportedly is talking about bringing back that sport “because it’s cheap.” - More Mickey Furfari Headlines
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FURFARI COLUMN- Huggins says transfers not isolated case
