Taz Sherman returns to help West Virginia down Iowa State, end 7-game skid

Associated Press | Tuesday, February 8, 2022 10:35 p.m.

West Virginia guard Taz Sherman shoots as Iowa State guard Tristan Enaruna (23) and forward Robert Jones right defend during the second half Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, in Morgantown, W.Va.

MORGANTOWN, W. Va. — Taz Sherman had 16 points, eight rebounds and six assists in his return from a one-game absence, and West Virginia beat Iowa State, 79-63, on Tuesday night.

The Mountaineers never trailed and led by double figures most of the second half. Izaiah Brockington made consecutive layups to bring the Cyclones within 65-57 with 5:26 left before Malik Curry and Sherman each sank a pair from the foul line to create some space.

West Virginia survived a season-high 20 turnovers with the help of 22-for-44 shooting overall, 10 for 20 from 3-point range and 25 for 29 from the foul line. The Cyclones struggled from the foul line, making just 12 of 22.

The Mountaineers (14-9, 3-7 Big 12) ended a seven-game losing streak, which tied the worst streak under coach Bob Huggins.

Sherman, the Big 12’s second-leading scorer who entered averaging 18.9 points, missed Saturday’s game against Texas Tech with a concussion after getting hit in the jaw late in a loss at Baylor on Jan. 31.

Reserve Seth Wilson went on his own 7-0 run with a layup, 3-pointer and jump shot as the Mountaineers built an 18-5 lead in the first seven minutes. West Virginia led 39-28 at halftime as Sherman scored 10 points and grabbed six rebounds. Caleb Grill came off the bench for the Cyclones to shoot 4 of 5 from beyond the arc as the rest of the team shot 7 for 25 overall.

Curry and Jalen Bridges scored 14 points apiece, and Sean McNeil 13 for West Virginia. Curry missed just one of 11 foul shots.

Freshman Tyrese Hunter scored a career-high 22 points for Iowa State (16-8, 3-8). Grill added 12, and Brockington 11.