MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Asya Bussie scored seven points during a 13-0 second-half run and produced her first double-double of the season as West Virginia defeated Virginia 68-58 in women’s basketball action Sunday night.
Bussie, who played only two minutes in the first half while saddled with foul trouble, scored 12 of her 14 points after the break and finished with 10 rebounds. Sophomore guard Bria Holmes scored a career-best 19 points, including five 3s on 7-of-12 shooting, as WVU (4-1) won its fourth straight.
After Virginia (3-2) pulled within 49-48 with 12:19 remaining, the Mountaineers scored 13 unanswered down the 5:36 mark. Bussie became a force in the post.
“We got the ball into Asya and she was really able to help us down the stretch,” said WVU coach Mike Carey. “Asya Bussie was the difference in the game.”
Taylor Palmer’s 3 capped the run and gave WVU its largest lead of the game, 62-48. Palmer finished with 10 points, including 5-of-6 from the free-throw line, where both teams struggled. WVU finished 15-of-28 overall, while Virginia was 6-of-16.
Reserve Crystal Leary pulled down a career-best 12 rebounds, helping WVU to a 46-44 rebounding edge. The Mountaineers also forced 18 turnovers, while committing 15 of their own. Linda Stepney added five assists for the Mountaineers, while Averee Fields had four.
Virginia was more accurate from 3-point range (10-of-24), with Ataira Franklin hitting six on her way to a game-high 23 points.
“Crystal Leary came in and did a great job for us—12 rebounds, and we needed her energy off the bench,” Carey said. “I’m glad we got the win. It’s a great win for us.”
The Mountaineers shot 40.4 percent (23-57) from the field, while Virginia shot 34.4 percent (21-61). The Mountaineers sunk 7-of-24 from 3-point range.
WVU plays at Youngstown State on Saturday.