Did West Virginia Mountaineers' Defensive Hustle Fall Short Against Arizona State Sun Devils?

In a closely contested game at the WVU Coliseum, the West Virginia Mountaineers faced off against the Arizona State Sun Devils, marking another chapter in their ongoing rivalry. The Mountaineers, with a season record of 23-57 before this game, were looking to solidify their standing but fell short with a final score of 57-65. On the other side, the Sun Devils improved their record to 0-65, showcasing their resilience on the court.

Mountaineers' Efforts and Highlights

The West Virginia Mountaineers displayed commendable effort throughout the game. Their defensive prowess was evident as they managed to secure 11 steals and block three shots against their opponents. This defensive hustle was crucial in keeping the game within reach. Offensively, they made 18 field goals out of 58 attempts which translates to a shooting percentage of 31 percent from the field. Despite struggling from beyond the arc with only a 14 percent success rate for three-point shots, they excelled at free throw shooting by making 17 out of 20 attempts - an impressive accuracy rate of 85 percent.

Jonathan Powell emerged as one of the standout players for WVU by scoring a team-high of 12 points and contributing significantly on both ends of the floor with four rebounds and two steals. Javon Small also had an impactful performance by leading in assists (3) while adding 14 points to his name.

Sun Devils' Counterattack

The Arizona State Sun Devils showcased why they are formidable opponents by executing efficiently on offense and defense. They shot at an overall rate of 48 percent from field goal range and managed to convert five out of seventeen three-point attempts into successful baskets (29 percent). Their dominance was further highlighted in points scored within paint where they tallied up to thirty-six points.

One key factor that contributed significantly to ASU's victory was their ability to capitalize on turnovers; despite committing fifteen themselves, they limited WVU's points off turnovers effectively.

Looking ahead, fans can anticipate another exciting matchup as West Virginia Mountaineers will be visiting Kansas State Wildcats at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan on January twenty-fifth at six PM EDT. This upcoming game promises more action-packed moments and will be broadcasted live on CBS Sports Network for fans not able to make it in person.

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