MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (Interstat) — West Virginia built a large first-half lead and withstood a strong second half from BYU to earn a 79-71 men’s basketball victory Saturday at WVU Coliseum.

The Mountaineers led 40-26 at halftime before the Cougars rallied after the break. Robert Wright scored 23 points for BYU, and AJ Dybantsa added 20. Honor Huff led West Virginia with 19 points and six assists, while Brenen Lorient scored 18.

West Virginia improved to 17-12 overall. BYU fell to 19-9.