FORT MYERS, Fla. – Overwhelmed. Maybe a little intimidated.
Add High Point to a list of seven women’s college basketball teams that West Virginia dominated on Saturday.
The Mountaineers put together another commanding effort in an 89-54 victory over High Point (N.C.) in the Gulf Coast Showcase on Friday. at Hertz Arena.
J.J. Quinerly had 22 points, Jordan Thomas 18 and Jordan Harrison 13 to lead West Virginia.
This has been a typical result for the Mountaineers (7-0), so much that coming into the game, they had almost doubled (89-45) their foes this season; and so typical, that coach Mark Kellogg and guard J.J. Quinnerly weren’t that impressed.
“I could tell you a lot of things I didn’t like more than I did,” Kellogg said with a smile on his face while Quinerly added, “We have a lot to clean up.”
One person who came away impressed with West Virginia was High Point coach Chelsea Banbury. She knows a little bit about excellence. She played point guard on a 34-1 Florida Gulf Coast University team that played for a Division II national championship, then beat South Florida a year later in the Women’s NIT – the Eagles’ first year in Division I.
“They’re good on tape and they’re good in person,” Banbury said. “They’ve turned people over like crazy and when they turn you over, they turn those turnovers into points.”
Banbury then talked about the combo of Quinerly, Thomas and Harrison who combined for 53 points. Thomas also had 10 rebounds, Quinerly had four assists – more if teammates turned her passes into layups – and Harrison diced her way through the High Point defense.
“Their guards are good in halfcourt, not just the open floor,” Banbury said. “They shift to get open and share the ball. They also hit post players.”
The Mountaineers attacked High Point so quickly, they went up 9-0 in the first 3 ½ minutes and the margin just kept increasing.
West Virginia led 22-7 after the first quarter, 40-16 at halftime and 62-31 after three quarters. It led by as much as 39.
“I think our girls got a little scared,” Banbury said.
By the time the Panthers warmed up, the game was long decided.
After averaging about nine 3-pointers a game, the Mountaineers made just 2-of-14 but more than made up for it by having 15 offensive rebounds to lead in that department 46-22 while making 21-of-29 free throws and having 14 steals. Eight came from Sydney Woodley.
Quinerly, who struggled to start the season, seems to be hitting her groove. She drove the lane at will, which led to her making 8-of-13 shots.
“The biggest part of my ability is getting to the hoop,” she said. “I haven’t shot a lot of mid-range jumpers but I’ve been getting it to teammates.”
Kellogg added, “J.J. gets inside. That’s her bag, as the kids like to say.”
Next foe
Boise State (7-0) should give West Virginia its toughest test to date. The Broncos, who beat Illinois State 79-76 in overtime, beat Colorado earlier this year. “(Coach) Gordy (Presnall) does a great job,” Kellogg said. “That program is tradition-rich, has been in the NCAA tournament and won tournament games. They have length and a pretty good basketball I.Q. We need to be ready for this one. We’ll come up with a decent, little game plan.”
Notes
Kellogg, now 18-0 in non-conference games, on Thomas: “She’s a freshman, still learning, she’s a baby. She has great hands and feet and works at the free-throw line. She’ll get there a ton. We’re confident in getting her the ball.” … Harrison, among the nation’s leaders in assists, didn’t have a single one but made 6-of-9 shots. … West Virginia forced 22 turnovers, the seventh straight game its foe had 20 or more.
-By Craig Handel
