West Virginia sloppy in loss at 1st-place Texas

AUSTIN, Texas — Sir’Jabri Rice scored 24 points in just 17 minutes, and No. 5 Texas defeated West Virginia, 94-60, on Saturday.

Texas (20-5) remained in first place in the Big 12 at 9-3, while West Virginia (15-10, 4-8) lost for the sixth time in its last seven games against the Longhorns.

Emmett Matthews led West Virginia with 13 points. The Mountaineers shot 35.2%, which is their second-worst accuracy of the season, and matched the most turnovers of the season with 20.

Matthews, who had a season-best 20 points against Iowa State on Wednesday, scored nine of West Virginia’s first 12. But the Mountaineers failed to take advantage of that start.

They committed 13 turnovers in the half, matching their average per game, and Texas led 51-30 at the break.

Rice, a guard who transferred this season from New Mexico State, was nearly perfect. He converted 5 of 6 field-goal attempts, including 4 of 5 3-pointers and all 10 free throws. The Longhorns only missed one free throw in 25 attempts.

Marcus Carr, a former Pitt player, added 16 for Texas, making 7 of 11 shots and contributing four assists and three steals. Timmy Allen had 14 points, nine rebounds and four assists.

Texas scored 32 points off West Virginia’s turnovers and had a 23-7 edge in fast-break points.

The Longhorns went 16 for 16 at the free-throw line in the first half, matching the most they’ve ever made in a half without missing.

West Virginia visits No. 14 Baylor on Monday.