:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66461729/usa_today_14151499.0.jpg)
The West Virginia Mountaineers (21-10, 9-9 Big 12) closed out the regular season with a return to their early-season form and a dominant win over the No. 4 Baylor Bears at home, 76-64.
Things got off to a rough start for Bob Huggins’ squad, as the Mountaineers struggled to get anything going while the Bears built a 9-0 lead through the first 5:07 of the game.
Two made free throws from Oscar Tshiebwe created the spark West Virginia needed, and the Mountaineers answered back with a 19-2 run to take a 8 point lead with six minutes left in the half. The Bears slowed the run with three consecutive layups to cut the lead to two points, but a basket from Game Osabuohien and a three from Miles McBride extended the lead back to seven points.
Baylor would end the half out with a 5-0 run to close the gap again, sending the Mountaineers into the locker room with a two point lead.
After the half, Baylor jumped out to 7-0 run but the Mountaineers fought back to close the lead to two points with five straight points from Emmitt Matthews Jr.
The Mountaineers continued to fight, taking a 45-42 lead with just over nine minutes remaining off of a Tshiebwe layup and Matthews dunk. West Virginia would extend the lead with another late run, going up 57-36 with 3:03 on the clock.
Baylor attempted a comeback with a couple made three-pointers, but the Mountaineers secured the upset with made free throws.
Matthews led the Mountaineers off the bench 18 points, followed by Tshiebwe with 16 points, 12 rebounds. McBride added 12 points, and Sean McNeil chipped in 11 points. Jermaine Haley finished with 9 points, and was the only starter not named Tshiebwe to score a bucket.
The Mountaineers will be keeping an eye on the rest of today’s Big 12 slate to find out where they will land in the Big 12 Tournament bracket. They secured a first round bye with the win over the Bears, but can still find themselves anywhere between the No. 3 and No. 6 seed. If the current standings hold, the Mountaineers will be the No. 5 seed and will match up with the No. 4 seed Texas Tech Red Raiders on Thursday in Kansas City.