--West Virginia gutted this game out and that deserves mentioning given what has unfolded so many times this season. Cincinnati used an 11-0 run to go ahead 60-50 with just 6:29 left and while this has happened several times this season, this time West Virginia wasn't going to let it end in a similar fashion. The Mountaineers quickly used their own 10-0 run to tie the ball game with 3:26 left and from there it was simply about making those critical tough and effort plays that this team hasn't in the past. This night was different and it's a great win for this team to try to build on things with 10 games left in the season. It's clear at this point that West Virginia has simply played much better at home, but with the full roster intact perhaps this could be the start of a change.
--Jesse Edwards was excellent in this game scoring 25 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and blocking 4 shots. He is the first player in West Virginia history to record that statistical line in a game and really kept the Mountaineers alive when it looked like the game was getting away from them at times. He was excellent in roll situations and was able to finish around the rim. It's a massive difference having somebody like that on the floor and for added bonus he eclipsed 1,000 career points in the process. Edwards clearly still isn't 100-percent with his wrist when he shoots the ball as was evident by going 3-9 from the line but this was quite the bounceback for him after being sidelined for so long with the wrist injury. It was really exciting to see the Mountaineers run some offense and the two-man game between Kerr Kriisa and Edwards for some big finishes.
--Kerr Kriisa had 7 assists and just 2 turnovers. He also chipped in with 10 points and really did a nice job finding open players in this one. He just looked so much more comfortable in this one and having a big like Edwards makes it a lot easier with his ability to rim run.
--RaeQuan Battle only made 2 shots, but his three-pointer to take the lead might have been the biggest of the game. Battle hasn't been able to find his scoring the past couple games but he did get to the foul line when the offense was struggling and still added 10 points. If West Virginia can get him going it could go a long way.
--Quinn Slazinski added 15 points and hit 5-9 from the field with 5 rebounds and 3 assists. He did turn the ball over 5 times and had a couple plays where you wondered what was happening but he has been solid the past two for this team especially hitting some clutch baskets.
--West Virginia was just 16-28 from the foul line in this one and is really one of the only things I can complain about down the stretch. Cincinnati couldn't make it interesting but the Mountaineers tried to keep the door open by missing one of two at the line. But on the flip side, Cincinnati was just 6-8.
--Cincinnati only turned the ball over 13 times, but West Virginia made them pay turning it into 22 points off turnovers. The Mountaineers tried to make them make shots and holding them 9-32 from three certainly helps there holding the Bearcats to just 38-percent overall.
--West Virginia was out-rebounded 42-33, but the Mountaineers were able to get some critical rebounds late in this game in tight situations. The Bearcats also had just 8 second chance points on 18 offensive rebounds and the defense down there made it tough.
--West Virginia won the points in the paint battle 34-30. It helps when you've got so much action around the rim, but that's a good place to be considering it's very much been the opposite.
--Next up is BYU at home where as it's been well documented this team has found success. The Mountaineers are now 8-13 and 3-5 in the Big 12 and have another opportunity for a major win against a ranked team at home. This is definitely a swing of emotions from Saturday even if it's just for a night.
--Jesse Edwards was excellent in this game scoring 25 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and blocking 4 shots. He is the first player in West Virginia history to record that statistical line in a game and really kept the Mountaineers alive when it looked like the game was getting away from them at times. He was excellent in roll situations and was able to finish around the rim. It's a massive difference having somebody like that on the floor and for added bonus he eclipsed 1,000 career points in the process. Edwards clearly still isn't 100-percent with his wrist when he shoots the ball as was evident by going 3-9 from the line but this was quite the bounceback for him after being sidelined for so long with the wrist injury. It was really exciting to see the Mountaineers run some offense and the two-man game between Kerr Kriisa and Edwards for some big finishes.
--Kerr Kriisa had 7 assists and just 2 turnovers. He also chipped in with 10 points and really did a nice job finding open players in this one. He just looked so much more comfortable in this one and having a big like Edwards makes it a lot easier with his ability to rim run.
--RaeQuan Battle only made 2 shots, but his three-pointer to take the lead might have been the biggest of the game. Battle hasn't been able to find his scoring the past couple games but he did get to the foul line when the offense was struggling and still added 10 points. If West Virginia can get him going it could go a long way.
--Quinn Slazinski added 15 points and hit 5-9 from the field with 5 rebounds and 3 assists. He did turn the ball over 5 times and had a couple plays where you wondered what was happening but he has been solid the past two for this team especially hitting some clutch baskets.
--West Virginia was just 16-28 from the foul line in this one and is really one of the only things I can complain about down the stretch. Cincinnati couldn't make it interesting but the Mountaineers tried to keep the door open by missing one of two at the line. But on the flip side, Cincinnati was just 6-8.
--Cincinnati only turned the ball over 13 times, but West Virginia made them pay turning it into 22 points off turnovers. The Mountaineers tried to make them make shots and holding them 9-32 from three certainly helps there holding the Bearcats to just 38-percent overall.
--West Virginia was out-rebounded 42-33, but the Mountaineers were able to get some critical rebounds late in this game in tight situations. The Bearcats also had just 8 second chance points on 18 offensive rebounds and the defense down there made it tough.
--West Virginia won the points in the paint battle 34-30. It helps when you've got so much action around the rim, but that's a good place to be considering it's very much been the opposite.
--Next up is BYU at home where as it's been well documented this team has found success. The Mountaineers are now 8-13 and 3-5 in the Big 12 and have another opportunity for a major win against a ranked team at home. This is definitely a swing of emotions from Saturday even if it's just for a night.
