Struggling WVU ‘savors’ upset as No

Jan 20, 2024, 06:53 PM ET MORGANTOWN, W.Va.– West Virginia can lastly delight in some positives after going through the wringer the past 8 months.The Mountaineers have endured Hall of Popularity coach Bob Huggins ‘exit following a drunken driving arrest that caused a lineup makeover.Add to that a preseason health scare

for forward Akok Akok, a nine-game suspension for guard Kerr Kriisa, Jesse Edwards missing out on the past month with a broken wrist, and an ongoing court fight with the NCAA that had briefly sidelined multiple-transfer players RaeQuan Battle and Noah Farrakhan.Tipping the scale in the other direction was Saturday’s euphoria. Fight scored 23 points and got 9 rebounds, Patrick Suemnick added a career-high 20 points and West Virginia beat No. 3 Kansas 91-85. Editor’s Picks”It’s a surreal minute, man,”Battle stated.”It’s hard to win games like that, particularly doing it at this level and being a few actions behind due to the fact that we had a crazy offseason. I’m just happy with this team and the training personnel.”Fans stormed the court after the Mountaineers( 7-11, 2-3 Huge 12) enhanced to 7-5 against Kansas in Morgantown and broke a six-game losing streak in the series.”

That a person felt great,”said West Virginia interim coach Josh Eilert, who took over a week after Huggins ‘arrest.”That’s what our guys needed,”Eilert said.

“I’m going to appreciate it this evening, I assure you that. We’ve been through a lot. This fan base has actually been through a lot.

But tomorrow it’s ideal back to it to find out a strategy for Central Florida.”The win came a week after the Mountaineers beat then-No. 25 Texas, likewise at home.West Virginia set the speed Saturday with an early 3-point barrage and outhustled the Jayhawks to get essential complimentary throws in the end.Kansas( 15-3, 3-2)routed for the majority of the second half up until K.J. Adams Jr.

struck two complimentary throws for an 81-80 lead with 2:41 remaining. Suemnick addressed with a bank shot over Hunter Dickinson 35 seconds later on to give the Mountaineers the lead for good.West Virginia sealed the win by making nine of 10 free tosses in the final 34 seconds. “I just believe we desired it more,”Suemnick said.Kriisa added 15 points for the Mountaineers.With No. 9 Baylor likewise losing Saturday at Texas, there have actually now been 21 losses by leading 10 groups on

the road against unranked opponents this season. That matches the most through January in the AP Poll age, connecting the 21 losses in the 1965-66 season, according to ESPN Statistics & Info research.Kevin McCullar led Kansas with 24

points and Dickinson scored 19. Freshman Johnny Furphy hit 3 3-pointers and grabbed three rebounds in the very first 4 minutes however went 22 minutes before scoring again and ended up with 13 points and a team-high seven rebounds.The Mountaineers, the Huge 12’s worst 3-point shooting team, made 12 of 21 (57% )from beyond the arc, including 9 of their very first 11. Shooting wasn’t an issue for Kansas, either. The Jayhawks went 32-of-60(53 %)from the flooring.” There’s going to be games like this for everyone” in the Huge 12, Kansas coach Costs Self stated.”It’s a beast league.”The Associated Press contributed to this report.