Mountain Momma Monday: February 18

Another week, another set of highs and lows for West Virginia women’s athletics. The basketball team registered a big road win and a strong road performance by the gymnastics squad. The track team dominated, while the tennis team was dominated.

There is plenty to catch up on in the week that was WVU women’s athletics.

Jan 19, 2013; Waco, TX, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers guard Christal Caldwell (1) during the game against the Baylor Bears in the first half at the Ferrell Center. Baylor won 76-58. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports

Basketball:

The women’s basketball team faced a challenging week, stacked with a pair of ranked Big XII foes. The Mountaineers had to face the #25 Oklahoma State Cowgirls and then the #24 Iowa State Cyclones.

WVU first took to the court to face Oklahoma State at home on February 13. The Mountaineers came out flat in the first half, managing a meager 12.5% from three point range and 35.5% from the field. West Virginia’s shooting struggles, combined with Oklahoma State’s impressive shooting, allowed the Cowgirls to take a 35-25 lead into halftime.

West Virginia would close the gap in the second half, cutting OSU’s lead to single digits in the second half behind renewed shooting prowess on the part of Cristal Caldwell and Averee Fields. Even with the improved shooting, the Mountaineers could not manage to overtake Oklahoma State in the second half. Had WVU shown a more physical presence inside and neutralized Toni Young, the Mountaineers might have been able to complete their comeback bid.

West Virginia dropped the contest 64-54.

In action yesterday, in Ames, IA, the Mountaineers took down the #24 Cyclones in a nail-biting fashion. WVU slipped behind in the first half, allowing ISU to take a 27-22 lead at halftime. West Virginia would explode offensively in the second half, closing the deficit. The Mountaineers took it right down to the wire with the Cyclones. West Virginia would finally take the lead with only 12 seconds left on an Ayanna Dunning layup.

WVU would hold on for a squeaker, 68-66 victory, upsetting the #24 Cyclones for only the second time on their home court.

The Mountaineers only have one game on the schedule this coming week, a road game at TCU. West Virginia will tip-off with TCU on February 23 at 8 PM.

Gymnastics:

In a tri-meet at Maryland yesterday, the Mountaineers took to the mat to face off with the host Terrapins and Rutgers. West Virginia put in a strong road performance, scoring 195.775, the best road score the Mountaineers have notched since 2004.

WVU ‘s Kaylyn Millick registered a second consecutive victory in the all-around for the second straight week with a score of 39.35.

Behind Millick’s excellent score, the Mountaineers tallied 195.775, good enough to take down Rutgers (195.05) but not quite solid enough to take down #18 Maryland (196.175).

WVU will host a quad-meet in the Wendy M. Roach Invitational on February 24. The Mountaineers will host New Hampshire, Towson, and #3 Michigan.

Tennis:

The Mountaineers tennis squad took a pair of shellackings this past weeked in Virginia, getting beaten down by William & Mary and VCU by a combined 12-2.

In the William & Mary match, Emily Mathis registered the lone Mountaineers victory of the day in the #3 singles match. The Tribe of William & Mary swept the rest of the competition, handling WVU pretty well.

Much of the same would transpire yesterday against the VCU Rams. This time, the lone Mountaineers victory came in doubles action as Audrey Wooland and Emily Mathis took home a victory in the #2 doubles match.

This marks the fourth straight match that the Mountaineers have fallen 6-1 to an opponent on the road.  WVU will attempt to right the ship this Saturday at Penn State.

Track:

The WVU track team hosted the Gold-Blue Meet at the Shell Building. The Mountaineers used the competition as an opportunity to build confidence and build momentum for the second half of the season. West Virginia lined up next to smaller, local competition such as Waynesburg and Alderson-Broaddus.

WVU dominated their own event, taking first place in a variety of competitions. In the 500-m race, WVU runners took the first four places. In the high jump, Mountaineer Sydney Cummings came away with first place.

As a matter of fact, the Mountaineers won so many events in the competition, they overwhelmingly dominated their overmatched opponents. A great win for the Mountaineers, even if it was against sub-par competition.

West Virginia now must tune up their game in preparation for the Big XII Championships at Ames, IA next week.

For more coverage of your favorite WVU women’s sports, visit wvusports.com.