MorGantown, W.VA.-West Virginia last month in the UCF loss of 72-59, climbers lost a fight on boards and they were unable to handle the materiality that the knights were brought to the floor.
A change in the strategy and a healthy Jessie Edwards made all the differences in collizer in collizer on Tuesday night as the climbers defeated UCF, 77-67.
February 20, 2024; Morgentown, West Virginia, USA; The West Virginia climber center Jesse Edwards (7) celebrates the UCF Nights in WVU Coliseum with the teammates after defeating. Compulsory Credit: Ben Queen-USA Today Sports
Edwards saw their fifth double-dobbal of the season with 15-points, 10-ribound attempts, as WVU stopped its four-market losing streak.
“This is a physical team and we knew that especially coming after the previous game,” Edwards said. “So we expected it and I think we did a good job with it.”
WVU head coach Josh Ilrt said, “There was a tremendous difference from his having, especially opening our guard play.”
UCF head coach Johnny Dokins said, “You are talking about a 7-plus-footer that is very mobile and active.” “He actually finishes around the basket well. If he reduces the ball, you can mark two digits too much. ,
The game of Edwards, combined with a stable diet of zone defense, forced the knights to take quick shots from the periphery. UCF made just 9-38 shots beyond the arc.
“We defensive some things in our man and went back and forth with our defense. Certainly, our people took it and ran away with it and carried out it. The credit for excluding people to take that approach, especially after the loss in Orlando, said.
“I told my friends,” They are going to make some shots. We can’t be disappointed when they do. That’s what we are going to live with ‘. “
WVU excluded UCF, 42-36.
WVU forward Quin Slazinsky said, “The most difficult task in the zone is because you don’t have a man.” “What helps with this we are vocal. People were stepping. It is difficult to be vocal for the whole game because it was very tired. We were able to do so. ,
“We settled for a lot of threads,” Dokins said. “On the road, you can’t do this. Our people looked, got trapped with taking them and settling. ,
February 20, 2024; Morgentown, West Virginia, USA; The West Virginia climbers celebrated Josieoti Harris (22) against the UCF knights in WVU Coliseum during the second half. Compulsory Credit: Ben Queen-USA Today Sports
West Virginia led the wire-to-wire after jumping quickly for a seven-point lead before the first media timeout. The climbers took a 13-point lead in the initial half, before the UCF shut the difference on seven points, 37–30, on a halftime.
The climbers placed the knights at some distance on the scoreboard in the second half. The UCF creted with 6:30 within six points (62–56), before the WVU pulled the stretch down.
Rekan Battle led climbers with 24 points. This was his eighth 20-plus point game of the season. In its last three matches, Battle has scored 70 points.
“Just just stay in the course and don’t get them away from your mark. This is what I have done today. I was not trying to talk to him if he tried to go into my head like a previous game, ”Battle said.
“This is a lesson learned. I just rotated it, especially after a game like Texas when we got out of the water. When I was so, ‘Okay, I just need to rest and play games that I am always playing my whole life.’
“He is doing much better for a job to come to him and be patient with him,” said Ilart. “He is going to get his touch in one or the other way.”
Slazinsky scored 14 points for climbers. Josieya Harris scored eight points in 11 minutes, making all three of its efforts from the floor.
“He was coming excellent,” said Ilart. “We need to find a few more minutes for him.”
Kerr Crisa scored seven points and provided a game-Best seven assistance.
February 20, 2024; Morgentown, West Virginia, USA; Josh Ilrt, head coach of the West Virginia climber, performed a drama during the second half against UCF knights at WVU Colizium. Compulsory Credit: Ben Queen-USA Today Sports
West Virginia (9–17, 4-9 Big 12) has also drawn with UCF (13–12, 4-9) in conference standing. WVU Big 12 expects to avoid playing on the day 1 of the tournament, which four teams will do below.
“As much as you guys want to win us, we want it to be ten times more. I know that fans are very great. But the league is very difficult, ”said Slazinsky.
“Our employees have done a great job trying to inspire us and to keep us closed for these previous few games to see if we can do something in the tournament.”
The climbers will visit the Iowa State and Kansas State on Monday.
“This is important at this turn, especially when you go on the road and two really play difficult opponents,” said Ilart. “K-state has their own struggles, but they are as difficult as anyone is defeated in Bramlaj. You have two-market road trips. Hilton and Bramlage are not funny places to play. ,
Darius Johnson led the knights with 29 points.