LUBBOCK, Texas — West Virginia scored the game’s final eight points, including Naomi Davenport’s go-ahead jumper with 11 seconds left, during a 75-72 comeback win over Texas Tech in women’s basketball Wednesday night.
Freshmen guard Madisen Smith scored 20 points and Davenport finished with 18 for the Mountaineers (17-6, 8-4 Big 12), who trailed 62-54 early in the fourth quarter.
Texas Tech (11-13, 2-11), which also lost by three points in Morgantown last month, was led by Sydney Goodsen and Chrislyn Carr with 15 points each.
“We had every opportunity to win the game, and we didn’t capitalize on it,” said Red Raiders coach Marlene Stollings. “It’s just disappointing that we didn’t finish it off. There are multiple things that you could look at in that last minute-and-a-half to two minutes where we could have controlled our own destiny.”
Tynice Martin added 16 points for the Mountaineers and reserve guard Nia Staples scored a career-high 11.
Freshman Jala Jordan scored six points while playing a season-high 13 minutes. She made two clutch jumpers in the final 3 minutes as WVU pulled within 72-69. Davenport got free for a layup with 1:23 left before putting WVU ahead with her late jumper.
After Smith deflected a Texas Tech inbounds pass with, Martin was fouled with eight seconds left and made two free throws, finishing 7-of-8 at the line.
Goodson’s potential game-tying 3-pointer missed, leaving West Virginia coach Mike Carey relieved at his team’s escape.
“Let me just say we’re very lucky to win that game,” he said. “In the paint they outscored us 32-26. Points off turnovers was terrible, they scored 33, we had 18. Second-chance points, 16-7. Fast break 10-4. Very fortunate to win that game. Very fortunate.”
The Mountaineers, whose road record improved to 4-3, led 39-26 late in the first half before the game tightened up.
“We let them scored nine straight points,” Carey said. “We bust our butts and got a 13-point lead and then relax and they come back and score nine straight points. You know we just needed to get out of here with a win, man.”