Lamont West strikes from deep into the heart of Texas

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — While the absence of Esa Ahmad threatened to leave No. 12 West Virginia shorthanded, it only gave hot-handed reserve Lamont West a chance to pick up the slack in a 77-62 win over Texas.

The lanky redshirt freshman scored a career-high 23 points on 6-of-8 shooting from 3-point range. He made quite the accessory for guard Jevon Carter, who produced 24 points and 10 rebounds as the Mountaineers (22-6, 10-5 Big 12) coasted to a comfortable win.

During a first-half flurry where West scored 15 points in six minutes, he gestured into the stands toward his mother, who made the four-hour drive from Cincinnati.

“I don’t want to have her come here to see me just sit on the bench because I’m not playing good,” said West, who had 20 points by halftime after averaging only 5.7 points per game.

Mountaineers coach Bob Huggins presumed West was ready to go after the player stuck around to taket extra shots following a midday walk-through. West and Carter were the first guys back on the court shooting two hours before the game.

MORE: Huggins OK after collapsing during timeout

While Texas (10-18, 4-11) knew of West’s range, the defense didn’t close out quickly enough.

“He made a couple 3s against us last time we played them, so we’re very aware of him,” Longhorns coach Shaka Smart said. “That’s what he does — he shoots the ball from the outside. That one is disappointing because he had 20 points in the first half and really gave them a huge spark.”

NBA one-and-done prospect Jarrett Allen finished with 17 points and seven rebounds for Texas, which dropped to 0-13 away from home this season.

BOXSCORE: West Virginia 77, Texas 62

West Virginia’s second-leading scorer at 11.7 points per game, Ahmad was sidelined by a lower back strain. His teammates struggled for a few minutes before controlling the game to lead 46-32 at intermission. In the second half they stretched the cushion to 20 points and never allowed Texas to draw closer than 11.

Carter’s double-double included four assists and only one turnover. He played 38 minutes just two days after playing 45 minutes in a double-overtime win over Texas Tech.

“He was terrific both games,” Huggins said. “We ask him to do a lot and he does a lot. He does a great job with the press, and we ask him to handle the ball, and we ask him to run offense and we ask him to score.”

Eric Davis added 14 points, Kerwin Roach scored 13 and Andrew Jones chipped in 11 for the Longhorns, who lost their fourth straight game.

Elijah Macon made all four shots while scoring 10 for the Mountaineers, who began the night in a three-way tie for second place in the conference. West Virginia recorded 20 assists on 28 baskets, with Tarik Phillip and Teyvon Myers adding four each.

The Mom effect?

A streaky start saw the Mountaineers trail 12-2 before West subbed in to ignite a 21-3 surge. He sank 4-of-5 shots from beyond the arc and finished a four-point play after being fouled on his follow-through by Davis.

“You leave a good shooter like that wide-open and you see what he can do,” Carter said. “Hopefully every team plays him like that. He came here saying he was the best shooter that we’ve ever seen and he’s just doing what he does.”

Coincidentally, West’s mother Tonya attended one other game, against Oklahoma State on Feb. 4. Her son scored 21 points that day.

“We’re going to have to get his mom here more often,” said Huggins.

Technical misunderstanding?

Smart drew a first-half technical after punching the air emphatically. Though he repeatedly complained about West Virginia defenders holding, Smart said he wasn’t gesturing toward officials in this instance.

“I think it was a misunderstanding actually because I was trying to fire up our guys,” he said. “But, it is what it is.”

Notes, numbers, etc.

West Virginia completed the season sweep after winning 74-72 in Austin on Jan. 14. .. The Longhorns, who entered the game ranked 331st nationally in 3-point shooting at 30.1 percent, shot 3-of-13 from deep. … West Virginia’s Ahmad was bothered by back spasms during Saturday’s win over Texas Tech. … West’s big night helped the Mountaineers to a 36-5 edge in bench scoring. … The Mountaineers made 11-of-13 free throws.





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