Javon Small dominates with 27 points in West Virginia's big win

In a recent college basketball game held in Morgantown, West Virginia, on December 21, 2024, the West Virginia Mountaineers faced off against the Mercyhurst Lakers, resulting in a dominant victory for the Mountaineers. They won the game decisively with a final score of 67-46. This marked West Virginia's fifth consecutive win this season, improving their record to 9-2 overall and maintaining an impressive home court record of 7-0. Javon Small was a standout player in the game, scoring a total of 19 points and contributing significantly with seven assists. His performance helped set the pace for West Virginia early in the game, as they took a 35-22 lead into halftime. Small's shooting was effective, making 6 of 14 attempts, including a three-pointer, and he also excelled at the free-throw line, hitting 6 of 7 shots. Toby Okani also played a crucial role by adding a double-double to the team's efforts, finishing the game with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Eduardo Andre supported the team by scoring 14 points off the bench, shooting a perfect 6-for-6 from the field. The Mountaineers' defense held Mercyhurst to just 28.3% shooting overall, illustrating West Virginia's strong control of the game. As the Mountaineers look ahead to their upcoming matchup against No. 8 Kansas on New Year's Eve, this victory reinforces their confidence and positions them well in the Big 12 Conference. Meanwhile, Mercyhurst, now 6-9 following the defeat, will have time to regroup before their next game against Stonehill on January 3. The contrasting fortunes of both teams highlight the competitive nature of college basketball and the challenges faced by teams as the season progresses.