West Virginia Vs. St. John's: Mountaineers Manhandled At Madison Square Garden, Lose 78-62

Despite a late game push towards respectability, the West Virginia Mountaineers turned in their worst performance in nearly a month, losing to St. John's 78-62 at Madison Square Garden.

The Mountaineers were plagued by ice cold shooting all night long, finishing a disappointing 34% from the field on 23 for 65 shooting. The 'Eers turned the ball over 13 times and were outrebounded by a 37-32 margin. Kevin Jones, despite struggling early, still finished with a double double, tallying 26 points on 10 for 21 shooting, and hauling in 12 boards and swatting 3 shots. Jones may be in the middle of the greatest Mountaineer season of my lifetime, but it was still not enough tonight.

The 'Eers couldn't handle St. John's 1-2-2 zone, struggling to hit open shots from the outside and having no answers inside when the zone collapsed. In general, the Mountaineers looked as inexperienced and overwhelmed as they actually are.

The Mountaineers must bounce back from their atrocious performance tonight against Syracuse on Saturday. It's important to pick up one of the two games on this road trip, but the sledding just got a lot tougher.

West Virginia Vs. St. John's: Poor Shooting, Turnovers Plague 'Eers, Trail 36-20 At Half

Just when you thought things were looking up for the West Virginia Mountaineers... they turn in a half like that one.

The Mountaineers struggled the entire half, needing the first ten minutes to amass a paltry six points.

The Mountaineers were dreadful shooting the basketball, shooting a dismal 25% on 7-of-28 shooting. They continued to shoot themselves in the foot by turning the ball over 10 times. They've also been pushed around on the glass, hauling in only 11 rebounds to St. John's 23.

Senior guard Truck Bryant continued his struggles, missing all five of his field goal attempts. Bryant added two points from the free throw line. Even all world forward Kevin Jones was quiet going 2-of-7 for six points. Coach Bob Huggins reached deep into his bench to try to and spark the squad, playing deep reserves Paul Williamson and Dominique Rutledge.

Only freshman guard Jabarie Hinds was a bright spot for the Mountaineers, hitting two crucial threes to keep the Mountaineers in the game.

The Johnnies were paced by freshman forward Moe Harkless, who had 14 points and eight rebounds.

St. John's leads 36-20 at halftime.

West Virginia Vs. St. John's: 'Eers Look To Continue Winning Streak In The Garden

The world's most famous area hosts the Mountaineers and Red Storm in a Big East clash.