Published: November 19, 2008 12:13 am      

WVU women soar past Northeastern

MORGANTOWN — Liz Repella, Vanessa House and Sarah Miles led the West Virginia University women’s basketball team to a resounding 79-42 victory over the Northeastern Huskies on Tuesday night at the Coliseum.

Repella, a Steubenville, Ohio, native, recorded 23 points on 8-of-16 shooting, including 5-of-9 from three-point range. She picked up her first career double-double after grabbing a team-high 14 rebounds in 32 minutes of action.

WVU used its defense to create several points on offense as the Mountaineers (2-1) scored 22 points off turnovers while forcing 19 by Northeastern (0-2).

House contributed greatly off the bench, scoring 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting while making four steals playing 20 minutes. Her active presence on the defensive end created havoc for opposing Husky guards, who were constantly looking to get transition baskets.

The Mountaineers were dominant in the paint, outscoring Northeastern, 38-14. WVU also recorded 14 fast-break points while allowing only two points in transition from the Huskies.

In 28 minutes, Miles effectively ran WVU’s efficient offense. The San Antonio, Texas, native had 12 points on 3-of-6 shooting, including 6-of-7 from the free throw line.

Senior Ashley Powell added nine assists, as the Detroit native capitalized on several Northeastern turnovers and put her teammates in position for easy baskets.

Overall, WVU shot 29-of-67 from the field (43.3 percent), while Northeastern went 14-of-54 (25.9 percent). The Mountaineers outrebounded the Huskies, 52-37, including a 23-15 edge on the offensive boards.

Takisha Granberry and Natalie Burton each contributed with eight points apiece. Granberry also had nine rebounds, while Burton made the most of her first start by playing solidly in the post and producing several hustle plays.

Repella and House led WVU as it sprung out to a 39-16 halftime lead. Both players already reached double figures through the first 20 minutes of action, and Repella nearly reached a double-double by the half after grabbing eight rebounds.

WVU dominated the glass in the first half, owning a 31-17 advantage while holding Northeastern to 25 percent shooting from the floor. The Huskies tried to force the tempo by creating a high-paced offensive attack, but fell victim to several missed shots that created more possessions for the Mountaineers.

The Mountaineers got off to a fast start and led 21-6 after Miles scored on a fast-break layup. WVU then reached a 20-point lead on Repella’s three-pointer with 6:39 left before the half, making it 31-11.

Another Repella jumper with 1:52 left extended WVU’s advantage to 39-14 before a layup by Northeastern’s Brittany Wilson with 25 seconds left created the halftime score.

WVU continued to ride its first-half momentum by scoring early and often after intermission. With 10:58 left in the contest, Granberry scored on a layup to garner a 61-21 lead for the Mountaineers.

WVU saw its biggest lead with 7:18 left when Repella made a steal and drove hard to the right side of the basket to put in another fast-break basket, making it 66-24.

Guard Jasmine Crew led Northeastern with 13 points.

WVU returns with a home contest at 7 p.m. Saturday against Sun Belt conference foe Florida International.