MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Mike Carey’s record-setting 302nd victory was minutes old when he complimented Kittie Blakemore, the coach who started the West Virginia women’s basketball program 42 years ago.
“I can’t imagine how it was when Kittie started out—with facilities, uniforms and budget. Without a doubt, she did a tremendous job getting this program started, and I’m sure she had to break down and jump a lot of hurdles.”
Carey’s team encountered hurdles of a different scope Wednesday night, trailing by double digits before dismantling Morehead State in the second half of a 94-56 win at the WVU Coliseum.
As Blakemore slipped into second place on the West Virginia all-time wins list—surpassed by Carey in his 15th season—she called the night “a marvelous thing for Mike” and praised his leadership that has produced eight NCAA tournament appearances and three NITs.
“He has worked very hard at all of this,” Blakemore said. “He has done such a good job and I appreciate what he has done for the program.”
Bria Holmes netted a season-high 29 points, pulled down seven rebounds and dished out five assists in 29 minutes for West Virginia (5-2), which trailed 32-22 in the second quarter before turning the game around. Holmes made 12-of-18 from the field and climbed to No. 9 on WVU’s all-time scoring chart with 1,551 points, surpassing Olivia Bradley’s 1,534.
Center Lanay Montgomery blocked six shots and netted her fourth career double-double with a season-best 12 points and 18 rebounds.
Morehead State (3-5) got 17 points from Eriel McKee, but only six after the first period.
WVU led 42-38 at the half and made the game a runaway by outscoring the Eagles 34-8 in the third quarter.
Freshman Katrina Pardee added 12 points and freshman Olivia Seggie dished out nine assists with no turnovers. The Mountaineers outrebounded Morehead State 62-41.
“To be honest, I’m just glad we won the game,” said Carey. “We’ve had a lot of great players, great assistant coaches and great administration. Since I have been here, this program has come a long way in 15 years, with the facilities and budgets. It’s never one person. It’s a bunch of people that take part in that.”
The Mountaineers host Fairleigh Dickinson on Sunday at 4 p.m.