WVU wins tough road game over Oklahoma State 85-79
It certainly wasn't easy but West Virginia won its 12th game in a row to open Big 12 Conference play on the right foot beating Oklahoma State 85 -79 on the road.
Senior Jevon Carter struggled for periods of this game with 12 points but eight turnovers, hitting 2-10 from the field but finished strong down the stretch.
Freshman Teddy Allen scored 15 points off the bench, while sophomore Sagaba Konate scored 13 points. Sophomore Lamont West also added 11 points and senior guard Daxter Miles 12 points for the Mountaineers.
The Mountaineers got on the board first with a three-pointer from West and he would add a close range bucket to give the visitors an early 5-0 lead. West Virginia hit the offensive glass early with five in the first four minutes, while Oklahoma State was able to hang tough trailing only 10-6.
The Cowboys would take their first lead 11-10, as the three-pointer was effective but West Virginia would tie the game back up after a three-pointer by Carter. But from there, Oklahoma State would push their lead out to 24-15 as the Mountaineers struggled from the field.
However, a pair of quick threes would cut the lead down to 26-23 with the teams putting together a solid pace through the opening half. The Cowboys hit 10-15 from the floor, but West Virginia battled back to take a 30-28 lead with 6:30 remaining in the first half.
The two teams would continue to exchange blows over the next several minutes, with Oklahoma State regaining the edge at 37-33 as the Cowboys hit 12 of their first 18 from the field.
But Oklahoma State would take a 46-39 lead into the break with a 20-6 edge in points in the paint while also shooting 65-percent from the field.
West Virginia cut into the advantage in the second half, but both teams struggled to find the bottom of the net in the first two minutes to cut the lead to 46-43.
The lead for Oklahoma State would sit at 54-49 with 14:33 left in the second half as the Mountaineers would keep the score close but couldn't knife into the lead. West Virginia would knot the game up at 60-all with just under 11-minutes left.
The Mountainers would surge ahead 64-63 with 7:56 left in the game as Allen continued his scoring with 11 points in the second half to carry the offense.
The two teams would struggle to score over the next couple minutes, until West Virginia would use free throws to push the advange to 67-63.
After a three-pointer by Carter, his second made basket of the game, the Mountaineers would take a 74-67 lead with 3:11 left to play. The points in the paint advantage flipped considerably with West Virginia only -4 in that department as the Mountaineers attacked the rim and were able to get baskets.
However, Oklahoma State would rally yet again cutting the lead to 77-74 with 1:50 left. Howeverm the Mountaineers would do just enough to ice the game.
West Virginia will remain on the road for its next conference matchup Monday against Kansas State with tipoff set for 5 p.m.
