Martin/Muldrow combo carries WVU women past TCU

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Tynice Martin banked in a key 3-pointer during the fourth quarter and combined with Teana Muldrow to scored 50 points as West Virginia edged TCU 77-73 on Wednesday night at the WVU Coliseum.

After the Mountaineers (19-9, 7-9 Big 12) led by 12 after three quarters, TCU (12-15, 4-12) tightened the game with an 11-1 run. That’s when Martin’s trey off the glass gave WVU breathing room. She finished with 25 points as did Muldrow, who added a game-high 14 rebounds for her seventh double-double.

Muldrow made 9-of-10 free throws — one in the second quarter that made her the 33rd Mountaineer to reach 1,000 points.

“Teana (Muldrow) came up big for us,” said WVU coach Mike Carey. “It’s great that she got her 1,000th point and she had 25 and 14. Lanay (Montgomery) got into foul trouble early and Teana had to play a lot more minutes and did a great job.

AJ Alix led TCU with 21 points and five assists, and Jada Butts scored 18.

“Proud that our team just keeps fighting, but this is a league where you just can’t take possessions off,” said Frogs coach Raegan Pebley. “I think this conference has really proven that everyone can beat each other. The team that really can sustain and execute the longest is putting themselves in the best situation to win and we just didn’t do that for a 40-minute basketball game.”

West Virginia point guard Chania Ray, the Big 12’s assist leader, dished out eight more and tied a career-best with seven rebounds.

The Mountaineers made 19-of-22 free throws and dominated the rebounds 49-36, but they also committed 22 turnovers.

“Just way too many turnovers,” Carey said. “We didn’t execute down the stretch, turnovers and all that, throwing it backcourt. We did everything we could to let them back in the game, but at least we were able to get the win.”

The Mountaineers helped their postseason chances but still have work to do. They play their final road game at Oklahoma State on Saturday before hosting Kansas in the regular-season finale.

“We need to win these next two and go win one or two in the tournament,” Carey said. “We lose one of these games then we have to win more in the tournament. We’re on the bubble and that’s how we have to play. Every game is an NCAA game for us right now.”





More Sports

High School Sports
Odds and ends: Free-throw shooting, experience major factors in Charleston; shot clock discussion surfaces again
A look back at some key figures and memorable soundbites over the course of two state tournaments that featured 56 games in 10 days.
March 18, 2024 - 5:53 pm
WVU Sports
3 Guys Before The Game - Searching For Mr. Right (Episode 539)
What factors will determine how long the search lasts for WVU's new basketball coach?
March 18, 2024 - 3:05 pm
Sports
Charleston's Osborne, Fairmont State's Anderson first recipients of MetroNews Joe Retton MEC Coaches of the Year
The Golden Eagles men's squad and Falcons' women's team garnered Mountain East Conference regular season and tournament titles, while both squads surpassed the 25-win mark for the season.
March 18, 2024 - 12:00 pm
Sports
WVU heads to Iowa City as a No. 8 seed in the NCAA Tournament, potential matchup with Caitlin Clark awaits
WVU will face Princeton in the NCAA Tournament opener Saturday.
March 17, 2024 - 10:56 pm