CONWAY, S.C. — A costly four-minute scoreless streak and 22 turnovers were the culprits that did in West Virginia during a 63-57 loss to Western Kentucky in the semifinals of the Myrtle Beach Invitational on Friday night.
Holding a slim 51-50 lead after Lamont West made two free throws with 6:21 left, the Mountaineers (1-2) didn’t score again until Beetle Bolden’s 3-pointer at the 2:18 mark.
That cut into the Hilltoppers (3-1) lead, 57-54, and then the Mountaineers made it 57-56 seconds later when Esa Ahmad scored on an offensive putback, but could only manage one free throw from Sagaba Konate over the final 1:41.
Western Kentucky forced a wave of turnovers, none more costly than Bolden getting the ball stolen by Josh Anderson with seconds remaining as WVU trailed by two. Bolden committed five turnovers, while Ahmad had four.
It was the most turnovers in a game by the Mountaineers since committing 23 against Kansas State last January.
“We’re throwing it to the guys in the wrong-colored shirts,” West Virginia coach Bob Huggins said. “We don’t have a point guard right now. That’s the bottom line right now. For two years, Beetle played off the ball. [Jevon Carter] handled the ball and he came in to make shots.”
WVU shot only 18-of-54 from the field overall and only 24 percent in the second half.
The loss also ended a run of five championship appearances by West Virginia in November holiday tournaments.
Ahmad finished with 12 points and five rebounds, while Bolden added 10 points and four rebounds.
WVU will play in the third-place game against St. Joseph’s at 4 p.m. Sunday.
“It was more about us turning it over,” West Virginia guard Chase Harler said. “Their defense was pretty good, but at the same time, we were pretty much just throwing it right to them. That’s where we struggled. Our turnovers just completely killed us. Our turnovers led to them scoring.”
Charles Bassey had 13 points and 15 rebounds for Western Kentucky, which will play UCF in the title game Sunday. Taveion Hollingsworth added 13 points.
“Our guys played some tough, hard and physical minutes tonight,” Western Kentucky coach Rick Stansbury said. “This was a tough, gritty king of basketball game and I’m really proud of my guys.”
Bolden was charged with two fouls in the opening three minutes and went to the bench for the rest of the half. The Mountaineers still led 35-33 at intermission, but they had been whistled for 13 fouls and headed to the locker room as fans booed officials.
Konate was also saddled with two fouls, as was Ahmad, Lamont West, Logan Routt and Brandon Knapper.
The Hilltoppers went 15-of-17 from the foul line as a result, though they also were whistled for 12 fouls that led to West Virginia going 10-of-13 from the foul line in the first half.
Over the first eight minutes of the second half, West Virginia had more than twice as many turnovers (seven) as field goals (three).
Meanwhile, Western Kentucky only scored on transition baskets and couldn’t buy a 3-pointer.
One transition opportunity was blocked clean by the, 6-foot Bolden with 10:07 remaining.
Hollingsworth intercepted a bad pass by Ahmad and raced down the court for what looked like an open lay-up. That was until Bolden raced in front of him, and with everything Bolden had, leaped into the air and blocked the shot.
He added a drive to the bucket a minute later that gave the Mountaineers a 49-48 lead, but it was short-lived.