With their NCAA tournament hopes hanging in the balance, Texas shot 56.9% from the field and 57.9% from 3, giving the Longhorns a 87-79 overtime win over West Virginia at the Frank Erwin Center. Guards Kerwin Roach and Matt Coleman paced the offensive attack, scoring 22 points a piece and combining for 11 assists.
The Mountaineers were led guard Javon Carter, who had 12 points and added 6 assists. West Virginia led 42-40 at the half, and the two teams continued their back and forth battle into the second half. Texas led 72-70 with 6 seconds remaining following a made free throw by Jericho Sims. Shaka Smart called timeout and chose to have the Longhorns apply full court pressure. Carter responded by driving the length of the floor and making a layup to tie the game.
In overtime, Texas regained the lead when Matt Coleman connected on a 3 pointer with 3:44 remaining. The Longhorns never trailed after that moment. Jacob Young nailed a 3 pointer with 2:22 remaining to stretch the Longhorns lead to 81-74, and Matt Coleman followed a layup to put the Longhorns up by 9. Carter then pulled the Mountaineers within 6 with a 3 pointer, but West Virginia would never get any closer.
Freshman Jericho Sims played 36 minutes with the absence of Mo Bamba for the second straight game. The Minnesota native had a big game on the offensive and defensive ends of the floor.
The Longhorns will now prepare for the Big 12 tournament, where they will enter as the 7 seed, facing 10 seed Iowa State in the first round on Wednesday night.
