MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia returns to the WVU Coliseum on Friday evening looking to steady itself after a tough home loss against Villanova, and Mercyhurst may be rolling into Morgantown at the wrong time. The Mountaineers sit at 6-2 with one of the Big 12’s more efficient offenses, while the Mercyhurst University Lakers enter at 0-7 and are still searching for their first win of the season.
WVU has been at its best when it sets the tone early in the game. The Mountaineers average 77.5 points per game and shoot 46 percent from the field. That 46% reflects how well West Virginia shares the ball and creates high-percentage looks.
Junior guard Gia Cooke has been the spark behind that pace, leading the team with 16.6 points per game and getting to the free-throw line more than anyone on the roster. She’s hit 81.7% of her attempts at the line, and drawing fouls has been a major part of WVU’s offensive rhythm.
Sydney Shaw provides strong support in the backcourt, scoring 13.0 points per game while shooting an impressive 43.5% from three. Her ability to stretch the floor has opened space for forward Kierra Wheeler, who averages 12.3 points and a team-high 6.4 rebounds. By shooting 54.1% from the field, Wheeler’s efficiency inside should be a key matchup advantage against a Mercyhurst team that has struggled on the glass.
Rebounding has been one of WVU’s biggest strengths this season. The Mountaineers average 38.5 boards per game and hold a plus-7.5 margin over opponents. Mercyhurst however, has been outrebounded by nearly 16 per game making it difficult for the Lakers to stay competitive late in games.
Mercyhurst’s offense runs through guards Jenna Van Schaik and Lena Walz, the only two players averaging double figures. Van Schaik leads the Lakers at 13.4 points per game, while close behind is Walz at 13.0 and shoots 41.2% from three.
The Lakers haven’t lacked perimeter attempts as they make over eight threes per game but they’re shooting just 33.7% overall and have had trouble generating stops. Opponents are scoring 84 points per game against them on 55.1% shooting.
For WVU, Friday is an opportunity to reset before Big 12 conference play begins. The Mountaineers will look to clean up turnovers after giving away 17.9 per game, but their defense continues to be active with 10.5 steals per contest. If they control tempo and take advantage of their interior strength, they should be in position to move to 7-2.
U92 the Moose will provide live coverage, with Sports Producer Nico Caretto on play-by-play and Andrew Hartlove as color analyst. Starting at 6:30 p.m., pregame coverage will be hosted by Connor Roberts, Brayden Laslo, Conor Bratchford and Ben Stautzenbach.
If you want to hear them again, then you are in luck, they will return at halftime and after the final buzzer to fully break down all the action!
The broadcast can be heard locally on 91.7 FM, online at u92themoose.com, on Alexa-enabled devices and via the TuneIn app.