NASSAU, Bahamas — Javon Small scored 5 of his 31 factors in extra time and Tucker DeVries added key free throws late in regulation and completed with 16 factors as West Virginia beat No. 3 Gonzaga 86-78 within the Battle 4 Atlantis on Wednesday.
Small’s layup with below 2 minutes left in OT gave West Virginia a 79-75 lead. After a Gonzaga miss, Sencire Harris hit two free throws to make it a six-point lead. With 27.1 seconds left, Harris made a steal and scored on a dunk for an eight-point lead, placing the sport out of attain.
Amani Hansberry scored a career-high 19 factors and Toby Okani added 10 for West Virginia (3-2).
Braden Huff scored 19 factors and Khalif Battle 16 for Gonzaga (5-1).
Takeaways
Gonzaga confirmed its depth, outscoring the West Virginia bench 30-2.
West Virginia’s solely loss was by 24 factors at Pitt, however the rebuild below Darian DeVries is exhibiting promise.
Key second
Gonzaga turned it over at midcourt late in regulation when Tucker DeVries poked it away from Nolan Hickman and raced the opposite method earlier than getting fouled. DeVries made two free throws with 5.9 seconds left to tie it at 71-all. Battle inbounded the ball and obtained it again, however misplaced management on a drive as time expired.
Key stats
The shorter Mountaineers outrebounded Gonzaga 42-36 and shot 50% within the second half, battling the Zags to a draw within the paint. Nembhard had 12 assists and only one turnover in 43 minutes, however was 1 of 10 from the sphere.
Up subsequent
Gonzaga faces No. 14 Indiana on Thursday on the comfort aspect of the bracket.