West Virginia’s struggles return in 92-80 loss in Oklahoma

West Virginia’s road woes continued this afternoon as the Mountaineers (11-18, 3-13 Big 12) fell to the Oklahoma Sooners (17-11, 5-10 Big 12), 92-80, in Norman.

Jordan McCabe drained his first three point attempt to put the Mountaineers up 3-2 to start the game, and the Mountaineers would go 6-of-8 from the field and led by eight points before those familiar problems that have plagued this team all season reared their head. West Virginia would go on to shoot 4-of-21 to close out the remaining 13 minutes in the first half, and trailing 42-28 heading into the locker room.

The second half brought more of the same, but there was one interesting personnel change from the Mountaineers. With 8:40 remaining in the game and down 23 points, Bob Huggins subbed out all five players on the court for a lineup that consisted of McCabe, Taevon Horton, Derek Culver, Trey Doomes and Lamont West. West would foul out of the game within seconds and was replaced by Jermaine Haley to give the Mountaineers a group that had never played a minute of Division I college basketball prior to this season.

Interestingly enough, that lineup would chip away at Oklahoma’s 23 point lead and get it down to as little as 9 within just six minutes.

Oklahoma managed to stave off West Virginia’s comeback attempt, but if there was one positive to take away from this game it’s that Bob Huggins has potential to work with in the young guys - including his walk-on freshman.

Haley led the Mountaineers with 23 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. McCabe had another solid performance with 18 points, 3 assists. Derek Culver finished with 9 points, 9 rebounds and Emmitt Matthews finished with 8 points, 10 rebounds. Trey Doomes added 7 points, and Taevon Horton added 5 of his own.

West Virginia returns to Morgantown on Wednesday for the final home game of the season when they take on the Iowa State Cylcones. That game is scheduled for a 7:00PM EST tip, and will be broadcast on ESPNU.