DeVries maintains confidence in shooters as WVU enters stretch run of the regular season – WV MetroNews

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — On a night when West Virginia broke the 70-point mark for the first time since a 78-70 win at Colorado on January 12, the Mountaineers put together their fourth-best shooting performance of the year in a 72-61 win over Utah on Saturday.

WVU made 25-of-52 shots from the floor against the Utes (48.1 percent). With the Utes focusing much of their attention on denying opportunities for West Virginia’s leading scorer Javon Small, three other Mountaineers scored in double digits while shooting above 50 percent from the field. Amani Hansberry scored 17 points, the most since he posted back-to-back 19-point games against Gonzaga and Louisville in the Bahamas over Thanksgiving weekend.

“We have stretches where we play really good. We play great defense. We get out in transition and we are hitting shots. The switch flips and I guess we are a step late to certain things we are usually not a step late to,” Hansberry said.

“In order for us to be good, coach says all the time that we have to be hooked up and on top of our stuff for 40 minutes. Really it is playing consistent, getting on each other, staying out of our feelings and leaving it all out there for 40 consistent minutes.”

Joseph Yesufu’s 14-point game marked his fifth double-digit scoring effort and his third consecutive game of at least 11 points.

“We have really good shooters on this team. We’ve gone through a few games here where they haven’t shot it great. But they are good shooters and they are going to keep shooting. We have confidence in them. Their teammates have confidence in them. On a night like tonight, we can see as an offense what we are capable of. Even on a night when Javon doesn’t get opportunities, you have [Jonathan Powell], you have Amani and you have Joe connecting from deep. That makes a world of difference for us,” WVU head coach Darian DeVries said.

“The other night at TCU, we didn’t get that same production. They are all going to break out of it. I have no doubt. They put in the work and they are good shooters. I am excited to see what this stretch run looks like for them. You add Javon on top of it and you have something.”

Freshman Jonathan Powell scored 11 points after collecting just 16 points in his last four games.

“There aren’t a lot of other guys that are getting a lot of minutes. He gets a little more leeway to make some mistakes and play through it,” DeVries said. “A lot of times as a freshman, you don’t always get that opportunity anywhere. He has done a great job of continuing to grow with it and expand his game and doing some good things.”

Small was credited with just five shot attempts from the field but he went 9-for-9 from the free throw line to finish with 14 points. He also dished out eight assists, tying his second-most in any game this season.

“He is one of the most willing passers and unselfish guys,” DeVries said. “If it is about making the right play, he is going to do it.”

West Virginia (15-8, 6-6 Big 12) is in a three-way tie for seventh place in the Big 12 standings. The Mountaineers will host BYU Tuesday. The Cougars have identical overall and conference records to WVU. This is the last time this season the Mountaineers will host back-to-back games.

“It is only good if you take advantage of it and you get some sleep and you get some treatment and get some rest. This time of year, it is February and a lot of people are tired. Just that mental fight of continuing to maximize everything you’ve got left, taking care of your body is number one,” DeVries said.

“We have a huge home game and home games are golden in this league. You’ve got to come every single night and be ready to go. We’ve got BYU on Tuesday and hopefully another really big crowd and an impactful crowd like it was tonight.”