Houston defeats West Virginia 77-48
Houston Dominates West Virginia in Statement Win
In a decisive 29-point victory, the University of Houston Cougars (17-7) showcased their home-court advantage at the Fertitta Center, routing visiting West Virginia University Mountaineers (15-8) 77-48 on Wednesday night.
The game was never close, with Houston leading by as many as 31 points in the second half. The Mountaineers' inability to contain the Cougars' offense was evident from the start, as Houston shot 44% from the field and 60.9% from two-point range, while West Virginia struggled to find its footing, shooting just 30% from the floor.
Halftime marked a turning point in the game, with Houston holding a commanding 33-18 lead. The Cougars' defense stiffened in the second half, forcing West Virginia into 15 turnovers and limiting them to just 17 field goals on 46 attempts.
Houston's offense continued to click, with guard Quentin Grimes leading the charge. Grimes scored 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting, including three 3-pointers. The senior point guard also dished out seven assists, demonstrating his all-around skills.
The Cougars' bench played a crucial role in the win, outscoring West Virginia's reserves 22-0. Forward Tramon Mark added 12 points off the bench, while center Nate Knight grabbed nine rebounds.
For West Virginia, the loss was a disappointing one, as they struggled to contain Houston's speed and athleticism. The Mountaineers' offense, which had been clicking on all cylinders just a few games ago, was stifled by the Cougars' defense. Forward Sean McEneny led the Mountaineers with 12 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit.
The win marks a significant statement for Houston, which has now taken control of its conference standings. The Cougars will look to build on this momentum as they head into their next game, while West Virginia will need to regroup and refocus after a disappointing loss at home.
GAME LEADERS
* Quentin Grimes (HOU) - 14 points, 7 assists
* Tramon Mark (HOU) - 12 points
* Sean McEneny (WVU) - 12 points