After a three point win over Providence on Sunday snapped their three-game losing streak, the Mountaineers couldn’t continue their winning ways against Notre Dame on Wednesday night. Thanks to a slow start and a cold streak to end the game, the Mountaineers slipped to 6-6 in conference, 16-9 overall, after the Fighting Irish defeated them 55-51.
The Mountaineers were only able to score 16 points going into halftime, a season low, as they trailed Notre Dame 26-16.
“We let the game get away from us in the first half,” said West Virginia coach Bob Huggins. “We missed shots that we’re supposed to make.”
West Virginia found their groove in the second half as they kept clawing their way back in the game. Kevin Jones, Jabarie Hinds and Deniz Kilicli led the charge for the Mountaineers and Jones gave the Mountaineers their first lead in the game after a three-pointer from the corner with 5:22 left in the game.
However, late in the game, Notre Dame found their shooting stroke, especially from behind the line to give them the lead for good. The Fighting Irish shot just 2-of-18 from beyond the arc to start the game before hitting three straight three-pointers in just over a minute to seal the deal. Eric Atkins, Jerian Grant and Scott Martin each hit a three on consecutive trips down the floor for the Irish.
“We fought back and got a lead and then they made two big shots when we were going under screens in the middle of the floor because they just had so many shooters and it’s hard to get help anywhere,” said Huggins.
Jack Cooley led all scorers as the Notre Dame big man was 7-of-9 for the game for 21 points. Martin and Grant also scored in double-figures for the Irish with 12 points each.
Leading the way for the offensively challenged Mountaineers was the freshman Hinds. Hinds led all four Mountaineers that scored, that’s right, four, with 17 points on 8-of-12 shooting. Jones and Kilicli also ended up in double-figures with 14 and 16 points respectively. Jones did end up with his 16th double-double of the season, but saw his consecutive game streak with 20 or more points come to an end at nine games. Gary Browne was the only other Mountaineer to enter the scoring column with four points.
After a 32 point performance against Providence, Truck Bryant’s up-and-down season continued as he was held scoreless on 0-of-6 shooting. He did add eight assists however.
“KJ goes 6 for 15 and that’s the second game he hasn’t shot the ball well and when he doesn’t shoot the ball well it’s hard,” said Huggins. “Truck doesn’t make any. They played hard; they just didn’t play very well.”
West Virginia will take on Louisville Saturday before facing Pitt, Notre Dame and USF in the home stretch of Big East play.
Photo Credits: All-Pro Photography/Dale Sparks Photo
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