No. 11 West Virginia rallies, escapes with win against North Texas

Associated Press
Friday, Dec. 11, 2020 5:54 p.m. | Friday, Dec. 11, 2020 5:54 p.m.

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West Virginia forward Derek Culver (1) and guards Taz Sherman (12) and Miles McBride (4) celebrate after Sherman scores during the second half against North Texas on Friday, Dec. 11, 2020, in Morgantown, W.Va.

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North Texas guard JJ Murray (11) shoots while defended by West Virginia guard Sean McNeil (22) during the second half on Friday, Dec. 11, 2020, in Morgantown, W.Va.

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West Virginia guard Miles McBride (4) is defended by North Texas guard James Reese during the second half on Friday, Dec. 11, 2020, in Morgantown, W.Va.

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West Virginia forward Oscar Tshiebwe (34) goes up for a shot against North Texas forward Zachary Simmons (24) during the first half Friday, Dec. 11, 2020, in Morgantown, W.Va.

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Sean McNeil scored 15 points, and No. 11 West Virginia rallied for a 62-50 win over North Texas on Friday.

Taz Sherman added 13 points, and Derek Culver had 10 points — all in the second half — and 10 rebounds for the Mountaineers (5-1), who trailed by eight points at halftime but scored the first 18 points of the second half to take control.

Culver scored seven points during the decisive run.

Javion Hamlet scored 15 points, and Thomas Bell had 12 for North Texas (1-3).

West Virginia shot 9 of 35, including 1 of 8 from 3-point range, in the first half and trailed 29-21 at the break.

But in the second half it was the Mean Green who struggled offensively, shooting 6 of 33, including 2 of 15 on 3-point attempts.

West Virginia outscored the Mean Green, 16-6, in the paint in second half after being outscored 20-10 in the paint in the first 20 minutes.

The Mountaineers will take on No. 19 Richmond on Sunday.