Mountaineers take Longhorns to the Slaughterhouse, beating Texas 97-59

Saturday was a dark day in for West Virginia and their fans. After a sooner-than-expected return to the national conversation and a return to defensive pride, the Mountaineers were ranked number 12 and got walloped by an inferior Kansas State team.

Fans were left wondering if this was the beginning of a return to earth for this team.

On a 51-hour turnaround, the Mountaineers welcomed Texas to the Coliseum to prove what Bob Huggins’ team was made of this season.

West Virginia showed that one bad loss wasn’t going to keep them down, jumping all over the Longhorns from the tip.

West Virginia smothered Texas for the entire half, going on a 20-0 run, going into the locker room 45-20 at the half.

The second half was much the same for both teams. West Virginia continued the defensive pressure and extended their lead to 75-36 with ten minutes remaining in the game. At times it felt like a dunk contest with Miles McBride and Oscar Tshiebwe trying to outdo each other.

West Virginia would go to win in blow-out fashion, 97-59.

Stats that matter:

• West Virginia out-rebounded Texas 53-25 overall, 23-7 on the offensive glass
• Surprinsgly, Texas only turned the ball over 18 times (it felt like more) to WVU’s 8.
• Oscar Tshiebwe recorded his seventh double-double of his freshman season with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
• Texas forward Jericho Sims fouled out with 14 minutes remaining in the game
• Jordan McCabe was 2-3 from outside, showing a glimmer of hope after an abysmal start to the season
• Walk-on Spencer Macke scored his first field goal of the season, much to the crowd’s delight.

West Virginia returns to action in the Big 12/ SEC challenge Saturday, welcoming Missouri to Morgantown.