MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — In an assertive display of skill, the West Virginia Mountaineers triumphed over Mercyhurst with a score of 67-46 on Sunday. Javon Small was a key player for the Mountaineers, contributing 19 points to the victory, while Toby Okani notched a double-double, recording 13 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, marking his first of the season.

Small’s performance included hitting 6 of 14 field goals and converting 6 of 7 from the free-throw line, in addition to providing seven assists. West Virginia, currently boasting a record of 9-2, extended their winning streak to five games and maintained an impressive 7-0 home record. Eduardo Andre made a significant impact off the bench, scoring 14 points without missing a shot, going 6-for-6 from the floor.

On the opposing side, Aidan Reichert led the Mercyhurst Dolphins (6-9) with 14 points, although the team struggled overall, managing only 28.3% shooting from the field with just 15 successful baskets out of 53 attempts.

The Mountaineers established a solid lead, reaching 35-22 by halftime, with Small contributing 12 points and Andre adding nine. Mercyhurst attempted to mount a comeback with a quick 8-0 run initiated by Reichert, where he hit a jumper and a 3-pointer, narrowing the deficit to 38-30 early in the second half. However, Small quickly responded, leading a 10-0 run that solidified West Virginia’s grip on the game, which they maintained for the remaining 10 minutes.

Jonathan Powell further extended the lead with a 3-pointer, bringing the score to its peak at 63-35 with just over four minutes left. Looking forward, the Mountaineers have a break before facing the No. 8 Kansas team on New Year’s Eve in a crucial Big 12 Conference clash, while Mercyhurst will return to action on January 3 against Stonehill.