Huggins’ WVU stumbles in second half to Xavier

Dec 5, 2022

CINCINNATI, OH—-A rowdy home crowd of over 10,000 helped Xavier knock off WVU 84-74 in a game where the Mountaineers had a 43-36 advantage at the half. When Huggins coached at Cincinnati, Xavier was a cross town rival just four miles away.

It was the perfect setting for the return of Huggins but in the end his men faltered in the second half. When asked about the old rivalry, Huggins said he didn’t have any good thoughts about Xavier whatsoever. The Mountaineers were outscored 48-31 in the second half. Huggins said his team didn’t guard or make shots.

The Mountaineers led for almost three quarters of the game. WVU basically lost the game at the free throw line. Erik Stevenson had 16 points. Xavier shot 53.8 percent from the field compared to WVU’s 45.8. WVU was 47.4 percent for three pointers compared to 41.7 from the Musketeers.

“It seems like a lot the same people here.” Bob Huggins on his return to Cintas for first time since Feb. 3, 2004 pic.twitter.com/LWCTSr4NVh
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) December 4, 2022

WVU is now 6-2 on the season while Xavier is 6-3.The game was part of the Big 12/ Big East Battle. Mountaineers come home to face Navy Wednesday Dec. 7 at 7 p.m.