WVU holds on to hope of making the tourney with win over Iowa State!

Feb 9, 2023

MORGANTOWN, WV—West Virginia held off No.11 Iowa State 76-71 behind Kedrian Johnson’s career high 22 points for another important big victory Wednesday night. Emmitt Matthews added a season high 20 points and the Mountaineers (15-9, 4-7 Big 12) have now won five of seven to get in the right direction for tournament seeding. At one point in the season WVU lost five in a row.

Iowa State (16-7, 7-4) missed a chance to move into a first place tie with No. 5 Texas which fell to Kansas Monday night. The Cyclones trailed most of the game and were behind 36-30 at the half. Jaren Holmes made Iowa State’s only field goal in the final five minutes that put the Cyclones ahead 71-70 with 1:28 remaining. They never scored again.

WVU’s Joe Toussaint made two foul shots on the next possession. Iowa State still had a chance to tie the score but Holmes was called for an offensive foul with 4.5 seconds left. Matthews made two free throws to ice the game. Holmes led Iowa State with 18 points.

WVU goes on the road for two very tough games facing No. 5 Texas Saturday and No. 14 Baylor Monday. Road games have been tough for WVU this season. Two wins on the road would be huge for WVU at this point in the season especially over ranked teams. The way the team is starting to put it all together now should be a confidence booster on the road.