--West Virginia battled back in this one several times but just didn't have enough. The offense was almost non-existent at times for stretches as the Mountaineers just seemed like a group that was tired in some areas and was playing a very good team on the road. The Mountaineers only fell 70-54 and Houston did a really good job taking advantage of one-on-one matchups in the post in the first half and hitting threes in the second. It's hard to win when the opponent shoots 49-percent from the floor and 42-percent from three. There's no shame in this one because this team did keep battling back despite the current challenges and you got to hope they can learn from this one for the rematch. Houston is 102-6 since they opened their arena and have the nation's longest home winning streak. There's just not much margin for error.
--In the first half, West Virginia started this game strong but didn’t score in 5:01 while Houston was in the midst of a 20-3 run over eight minutes plus to take control in the first half of the game. That gave the Cougars the edge and they were able to fight off several mini runs in the second half.
--West Virginia only turned the ball over 12 times, but Houston made them pay with 25 points off turnovers. The Mountaineers have to take care of the basketball and in this one the Cougars won that department and it was a big difference in the game.
--Javon Small had 13 points in the first half and didn't score in the second. In fact, he only took three shots in the second half but did have 6 assists. For the game he finished with 8 assists and just one turnover but this is just a tough matchup all around.
--Welcome back, Amani Hansberry. It was really good to see him get going in the second half scoring all 16 of his points and going 6-7 from the field including 3-4 from deep. He scored 12 straight points for the Mountaineers in the second half to help them get back into the game but things sort of went sideways after that. Still, it would be a major boost if he is ready to get back to the type of player that we saw earlier in the season prior to the injury.
--Nobody else was in double figures, but I did feel that Sencire Harris and Tony Okani had their moments in this game.
--This team quite literally can't afford another injury so you have to hope guard Joe Yesufu is O.K.
--Up next it doesn't get any easier with Iowa State, fresh off a win over Kansas, coming to town. This is the toughest two-game stretch of the season for this team and if West Virginia can somehow muster a split that would be a massive opportunity. Onto the next one and you got to flush this one and move forward.
--In the first half, West Virginia started this game strong but didn’t score in 5:01 while Houston was in the midst of a 20-3 run over eight minutes plus to take control in the first half of the game. That gave the Cougars the edge and they were able to fight off several mini runs in the second half.
--West Virginia only turned the ball over 12 times, but Houston made them pay with 25 points off turnovers. The Mountaineers have to take care of the basketball and in this one the Cougars won that department and it was a big difference in the game.
--Javon Small had 13 points in the first half and didn't score in the second. In fact, he only took three shots in the second half but did have 6 assists. For the game he finished with 8 assists and just one turnover but this is just a tough matchup all around.
--Welcome back, Amani Hansberry. It was really good to see him get going in the second half scoring all 16 of his points and going 6-7 from the field including 3-4 from deep. He scored 12 straight points for the Mountaineers in the second half to help them get back into the game but things sort of went sideways after that. Still, it would be a major boost if he is ready to get back to the type of player that we saw earlier in the season prior to the injury.
--Nobody else was in double figures, but I did feel that Sencire Harris and Tony Okani had their moments in this game.
--This team quite literally can't afford another injury so you have to hope guard Joe Yesufu is O.K.
--Up next it doesn't get any easier with Iowa State, fresh off a win over Kansas, coming to town. This is the toughest two-game stretch of the season for this team and if West Virginia can somehow muster a split that would be a massive opportunity. Onto the next one and you got to flush this one and move forward.
