West Virginia 69 Maryland 59
The No. 5 seed Mountaineers pressed fourth-seeded Maryland into a season-high 23 turnovers, outrunning them on both ends of the floor en route to their first Sweet 16 appearance since 2010.
The Terrapins were clearly miffed by West Virginia’s approach.
“Everywhere we go people say, `Well, it’s not pretty,” Mountaineers coach Bob Huggins said after the game. “I think it’s beautiful.”
Maryland’s high amount of turnovers were due in large part due to 15 West Virginia steals. Jevon Carter led the way with six steals for the Mountaineers.
Devin Williams led four West Virginia players scoring in double-digits with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Gary Browne had 14, while Daxter Miles Jr. and Jonathan Holton each had 12.
West Virginia led 35-34 at halftime, and the Terrapins were able to keep things close throughout the second half despite their turnovers. However, with Maryland trailing 63-57 and a chance to pull to within one possession, Jake Layman lost the ball to West Virginia’s Juwan Staten with 1:02 left.
Melo Trimble led Maryland with 15 points and seven rebounds. Dez Wells hit just 3-of-8 field goals and finished with just 9 points while committing eight turnovers.
Reserve guard Jared Nickens finished with six points, with two of them coming as a result of breaking Staten’s ankles:
https://vine.co/v/OYUlKWTqZMQ
West Virginia, one of two Big 12 teams remaining in the tournament, moves on to face top-seeded Kentucky on Thursday.
