West Virginia Basketball: WVU Throttles Oklahoma, 86-65

No. 16 West Virginia was able to bounce back against No. 18 Oklahoma, beating the Sooners 86-65.

West Virginia’s defense forced the issue just within the first couple minutes of the game. The Sooners committed two quick turnovers. Nathan Adrian entered the game and began to give the Mountaineers life, hitting a three-pointer and getting a put-back.

Jan 13, 2015; Morgantown, WV, USA; Oklahoma Sooners forward Khadeem Lattin (12) blocks a shot by West Virginia Mountaineers forward Jonathan Holton (1) during the first half of an NCAA basketball game at WVU Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Don Wright-USA TODAY Sports

This was Adrian’s first three-point-jumper in eight games. The Mountaineers led 10-8 with 14:59 left in the first half.

With jut over 10 minutes remaining, the Mountaineers’ defense forced a few quick turnovers that resulted in points. With a layup from Jonathan Holton — the Mountaineers went up double digits, 23-13.

The Mountaineers mounted a 6-0 run, lasting over a minute while Oklahoma turned the ball over on three consecutive possessions and had a scoring drought over three plus minutes.

“I just thought our ball pressure was much, much better  than what it’s been,” said head coach Bob Huggins after the game. “It became more of, because of what they did, man-to-man.”

The Mountaineers shot 30-68 (44 percent) from the floor and 7-19 (37 percent) from beyond the arc.

The Sooners began to put things together, though. Oklahoma strung together four straight possessions that resulted in baskets. After Buddy Hield’s buried a three-pointer, Oklahoma cut into the Mountaineers’ lead, 33-28 with 4:08 left int he first half.

West Virginia stormed back, however, after a 10-0 run lasting just over three minutes the Mountaineers carried a 45-32 lead into halftime.

The Sooners, to start the second half, went on a 6-0 run, lasting over three minutes. It wasn’t until Holton hit a three-pointer from he corner did the Mountaineers snap the Sooners’ run.

With 15:32 left in the game, WVU led Oklahoma 50-38.

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West Virginia began to pull away midway through the second half — leading by a rousing 20 points, 60-40.

Late in the second half, Jevon Carter hit three consecutive three-pointers, allowing him to pave the way as the leading scorer with 18 points.

A convincing win over a solid Oklahoma team has to ensure confidence in Huggins’ squad. After falling to Iowa State, the Mountaineers took care of business and will now face a big-time road test in Texas, this Saturday.

The Mountaineers and Longhorns will tipoff at 6:15 p.m. this Saturday evening.