Mountaineer Women Drop Bearcats for 16th Win

Jan 22, 2024

CINCINNATI, OH—-For the second straight game West Virginia Women’s basketball team has held its opponent scoreless in the opening quarter. This time the Cincinnati Bearcats were the victims falling to a dominant defense 72-43 inside the Fifth Thirds Arena Saturday. The Mountaineers (16-2, 5-2 Big 12) scored the game’s opening 17 points. The lead continued into the second quarter. WVU forced seven turnovers in the opening quarter, holding Cincinnati scoreless during the opening 10:35 of the game.

The Bearcats missed its opening eight attempts from the floor. The Mountaineer run included 13 Bearcat turnovers and five West Virginia steals. WVU was able to hold Cincinnati 20 points below its season scoring average. WVU led by as much as 36 points with just under five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. WVU led 33-18 at halftime.

Junior guard JJ Quinerly, led the scoring with 23 points. It’s the ninth time this season she has scored over 20 points and her 17th time in double figures. She also added a career high eight streals. Sophomore Jordan Harrison finished with 15 points and nine assists. Harrison added four rebounds and three steals. Senior Tavy Diggs scored 12 points while Senior Lauren Fields registered 10 points, 2 steals and 2 rebounds.

WVU forced 29 Cincinnati turnovers. The Mountaineers reached 20 plus turnovers for the 17th time this season. The Mountaineers turned those mistakes into 35 points.

The Mountaineers return home Saturday Jan. 27 to host No. 24 Iowa State (12-5, 3-2). WVU would like to return the favor of beating the Cyclones. The Mountaineers lost the game after leading by 19 points back on Jan.10, 74-64. The tip-off is set for 2 p.m. inside the Coliseum. Let’s fill the coliseum for them!