Three takeaways from West Virginia’s win over Iowa State

AMES, IA - MARCH 03: Taz Sherman #12 of the West Virginia Mountaineers shoots the ball as Prentiss Nixon #11 of the Iowa State Cyclones blocks in the first half of the play at Hilton Coliseum on March 3, 2020 in Ames, Iowa. The West Virginia Mountaineers won 77-71 over the Iowa State Cyclones. (Photo by David K Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA - MARCH 03: Taz Sherman #12 of the West Virginia Mountaineers shoots the ball as Prentiss Nixon #11 of the Iowa State Cyclones blocks in the first half of the play at Hilton Coliseum on March 3, 2020 in Ames, Iowa. The West Virginia Mountaineers won 77-71 over the Iowa State Cyclones. (Photo by David K Purdy/Getty Images)
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On Tuesday, the West Virginia Mountaineers beat the Iowa State Cyclones, 79-66, at home. This was the first time in eight games that WVU has won and done so convincingly.

The streak has been broken! After losing seven straight, the West Virginia Mountaineers dominated Iowa State.

The Mountaineers got ahead early, maintained momentum, and made Tuesday an excellent game for the home crowd. Here are three takeaways from the big win:

Taz Sherman is essential 

MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA – JANUARY 18: Taz Sherman #12 of the West Virginia Mountaineers takes a jump shot during a college basketball game against the Baylor Bears at the WVU Coliseum on January 18, 2022 in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA – JANUARY 18: Taz Sherman #12 of the West Virginia Mountaineers takes a jump shot during a college basketball game against the Baylor Bears at the WVU Coliseum on January 18, 2022 in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

After being absent in Saturday’s game, the leading point-scorer for the Mountaineers, Taz Sherman, was back like he never left.

On January 31st, Sherman took a brutal beating late into the game against Baylor, which resulted in a loss and a concussion that took him out last Saturday against Texas Tech. The loss of Sherman on Saturday led the Mountaineers into their lowest-scoring game of the season.

On Tuesday, Sherman played as if he never left. He scored 16 points for the Mountaineers and was the leading point-scorer for the game.

The senior has been on a tear this season with a total of 396 points in 21 games. Sherman leads his fellow teammates by over 100 points and averages nearly 19 points per game.