Box Score MORGANTOWN –
Lex Therien totaled 18 points and 11 rebounds while recording her 33rd career double-double, but West Virginia pulled away over the final three quarters to earn a 74-39 victory over Loyola University Maryland in the season opener for both teams on Tuesday night.
JJ Quinerly (19 points) and Jordan Harrison (18 points) led the way offensively for the Mountaineers, who won 19 games and advanced to the NCAA tournament last winter. West Virginia shot 52 percent (12 for 23) from 3-point range and had a 21-4 edge in free throw attempts.
The Greyhounds were evenly matched with their Big 12 opponents in the first quarter. The Mountaineers held an 18-8 advantage with three minutes remaining in the frame, but a pair of
Kelly Ratigan 3-pointers highlighted an 8-0 run for the visitors to end the quarter. Therien added six points and five boards in the opening 10 minutes.
West Virginia, though, broke the game open in the second quarter, limiting the Greyhounds to a single field goal and ultimately taking a 35-18 lead into the intermission. The home side then scored 14 of the game's first 18 points after the break to put the contest out of reach.
Therien hit 8 of 14 attempts from the field for Loyola, and she also matched a career-best with four steals.
Amandine Amorich chipped in five points and two steals in her collegiate debut, while
Laura Salmerón dished out a team-high three assists.
The Greyhounds look to rebound on Sunday afternoon, when they host Binghamton at 5 p.m. in their home opener at Reitz Arena.