Kedrian Johnson scores 17 to help West Virginia beat UAB

Associated Press | Saturday, December 10, 2022 9:05 p.m.

West Virginia players celebrate during the first half against UAB on Saturday.

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Kedrian Johnson scored 17 points, Emmitt Matthews Jr. added 16 — with four 3-pointers — and nine rebounds and West Virginia beat UAB, 81-70, on Saturday night to snap the Blazers’ six-game win streak.

Joe Toussaint had 14 points and three steals, and Tre Mitchell had 13 points, seven rebounds and five assists for West Virginia (8-2).

Jordan Walker and Javian Davis scored 19 points apiece for UAB (7-2). The Blazers, the preseason favorite in Conference USA, were playing their first road game.

Walker hit two 3-pointers and a pull-up jumper during a 10-0 run, and UAB overcame an 11-point deficit to take a 47-45 lead with 14 minutes, 33 seconds remaining. But the Blazers never led again.

Toussaint blocked Walker’s layup on a fast break, and Johnson saved the ball from going out of bounds to start a fast break going the other way. Mitchell followed with a 3-pointer for a 57-51 lead with 10:49 remaining.

Mo Wague’s layup gave the Mountaineers their largest lead, 79-64 with 3:04 remaining.

Matthews hurt his left knee when he landed awkwardly after catching an inbounds pass in the game’s first minute. He went to the locker room but returned and hit three first-half 3-pointers.

West Virginia is off until a home game against Buffalo on Dec. 18.