WVU Shows Mettle in Hard-Fought 75-69 Victory over UMass

Mountaineers Overcome Slow Start, Defensive Struggles for Crucial Road Win

West Virginia University (WVU) men's basketball team displayed resilience and determination in their thrilling 75-69 victory over the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Minutemen on Wednesday night. Despite a sluggish start and defensive lapses, the Mountaineers rallied in the second half to secure a crucial road win.

WVU's offense struggled in the first half, shooting just 36.8% from the field and committing eight turnovers. UMass capitalized on the Mountaineers' mistakes, taking a 37-32 lead into halftime. However, WVU's defense stepped up in the second half, holding UMass to 36.7% shooting and forcing nine turnovers.

Fueled by a raucous crowd at the Mullins Center, WVU's offense came alive in the second half. They shot 50% from the field and made several key shots down the stretch. Sophomore guard Seth Wilson led the scoring with 19 points, while junior forward Emmitt Matthews Jr. added 17 points and 13 rebounds for his sixth double-double of the season.

The Mountaineers also benefited from strong performances from their bench. Sophomore guard Josiah Harris scored 13 points and dished out five assists, while freshman guard Kobe Johnson added 11 points and three rebounds. Their contributions proved invaluable as WVU fought to overcome UMass's physicality and defensive intensity.

Despite the win, WVU coach Bob Huggins acknowledged that there is still room for improvement. "We've got to get better," Huggins said. "We're not defending at a high level right now. But I'm proud of our guys for finding a way to win on the road."

The victory marks WVU's second straight win and improves their record to 13-11 overall and 4-8 in the Big 12 Conference. The Mountaineers will look to build on their momentum when they host Texas Tech on Saturday, February 4.