Felix leads Texas to upset of West Virginia
West Virginia forward Esa Ahmad (23) and Texas forward Connor Lammert (21) battle for a rebound during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Jan, 20, 2016, in Morgantown, W.Va. (AP Photo/Raymond Thompson)
Texas guard Kerwin Roach Jr. (12) splits West Virginia guard Jaysean Paige (5) and forward Jonathan Holton (1) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Jan, 20, 2016, in Morgantown, W.Va. (AP Photo/Raymond Thompson)
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Javan Felix scored the final nine points for Texas and led the Longhorns to a 56-49 victory over No. 6 West Virginia Wednesday night.
Felix, who finished with 17 points, shot 4 of 9 from the field, including 2 of 3 from 3-point range, and was 7 of 8 from the foul line against a Mountaineers team (4-2 Big 12, 15-3) that had not lost at the WVU Coliseum this season.
During the key stretch, Felix had a one-hand follow-up shot, two free throws, a 3-pointer and two more foul shots for the Longhorns (4-2, 12-6).
Because of light snow, slush and ice, Texas’ team bus failed to arrive at the WVU Coliseum until 6:15 p.m., just 45 minutes before the tip.
West Virginia received double-doubles from Devin Williams – 11 points, 11 rebounds – and Jonathan Holton – 10 points, 14 rebounds.
Texas fought back from a brief deficit to take a 28-25 halftime lead over West Virginia. The Mountaineers charged ahead 34-29 with 15:24 left.
The Longhorns were ahead 42-37 with 9:18 remaining when West Virginia battled back. After Elijah Macon missed both free throws, Jaysean Paige got the ball and made a layup, and Holton followed with a score. Daxter Miles Jr.’s 3-pointer tied it.
Texas called a timeout with 6:17 left, then outscored West Virginia 14-7 the rest of the way.
The Longhorns, whose first-year coach Shaka Smart created a “havoc” press at his previous stop with VCU, turned the ball over just eight times.
The Mountaineers, who split with The AP’s Nos. 1-2 teams (then Kansas and Oklahoma, respectively) last week, was turning its opponents over 27.3 percent of the game coming in. They were averaging 25 points off turnovers.
But the Mountaineers scored only seven points off turnovers against the Longhorns this night.
Neither team shot well. The Mountaineers were 19 of 60 from the field (31.7 percent) and just 3 of 21 from 3-point range (a 14.3 percent rate). Though West Virginia outrebounded Texas 49-33, the Mountaineers shot just 8 of 23 from the free-throw line.
Texas: The Longhorns are 3-1 against Top 25 teams this season. They lost to then-No. 25 Texas A&M 84-73, but have defeated then-No. 3 North Carolina 84-82 and now the Mountaineers.
West Virginia: The Mountaineers found themselves ranked as high as No. 6 for the first time since March 15, 2010. WVU has been ranked 25 out of the last 30 weeks, dating to last season.
Before Wednesday’s game, West Virginia coach Bob Huggins said he called Smart last season during the NCAA tournament. They wanted to talk about a particular Mountaineers opponent, but also to compare their presses. Smart said Huggins’ “Press Virginia” was equal to that of Rick Pitino at Kentucky and Nolan Richardson’s teams of the 1990s.
Smart led VCU to the Final Four in 2011 using the press. Smart’s scheme allowed the Rams to lead the nation in team steals for each of the next three years.
The Longhorns continue to play without big man Cameron Ridle (6-10, 290 pounds), who is out for a few more weeks with a broken foot.
West Virginia backups have been outscoring its first team in recent games. Texas switched that figure around. The Longhorn’s subs outscored the Mountaineers backups 21-15.
Texas travels to No. 3 Kansas on Saturday. This marks the first time since 2012 that the Longhorns have played back-to-back games against opponents in the Top 10 and first time in program history that UT has played consecutive teams in the Top 10 in true road contests.
West Virginia goes to Texas Tech, also Saturday.