West Virginia Holds On Against Georgetown, 73-60
MORGANTOWN — Darian DeVries hyped up the WVU Coliseum crowd. Benching waving arms as if trying to hoist the energy level of the arena, he begged the 11,522 fans for a spark. Javon Small missed the showman’s act, focusing entirely on the court, but admitted he heard DeVries’s pleas.
Taking Simeon nearly midway through the second half, Small’s focus was unwavering as West Virginia built a lead fans were craving. His performance was a showcase of his talents and proved again just how critical he is in the Mountaineers’ lineup. He finished with a game-high 26 points and ended any chance of Georgetown pulling an upset.
“I did all of that for you,” DeVries joked to the crowd post-game. “You mean you didn’t see any of it?”
Small just chuckled. He’d heard the roar and felt the energy.
He didn’t need to see the grandstanding. Small is just too busy taking over games to notice.
It’s been that way since the season began for the senior guard who’s become the Mountaineers’ go-to player. His scoring prowess is coveted, averaging 19.9 points a game, but Small deftly deflects any praise, attributing his success to the team’s collective goals.
“I’ve always felt like I’ve had key roles before,” Small said. “Honestly, I just do what the team needs me to do for us to win.”
The 26 points he gathered Friday night, however, showcased Small’s ability to seemingly pull magic out of thin air. Two unbelievable bank shots, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals orchestrated a run that snuffed out Georgetown’s hopes.
“Small is a big-time guard,” Georgetown head coach Ed Cooley said. “That’s what seniors do. That’s what I would expect seniors to do. That dude has played a lot of basketball.”
Cooley wasn’t wrong. Small’s emergence to this level has been significant. Just eight games into the season, he’s gone from a player who sparked interest when he entered the transfer portal for the second time last spring to a player every major school in the country wishes they had.
Sure, there’s still that 19.9 points per game average as league play heats up. It’s overshadowed, maybe but Small brushes it aside with the nonchalant temperament of a seasoned winner.
“I think he’s just embracing being a part of this team,” DeVries
How might this win impact West Virginia’s outlook for the rest of the season?
## WVU Recap: Javon Small Leads Mountaineers Past Georgetown
**Host:** Welcome back to the show! Joining us today to discuss West Virginia’s exciting 73-60 victory over Georgetown is sports journalist, Alex Reed. Alex Reed, thanks for being here.
**Alex Reed:** Thanks for having me, I’m happy to discuss this great win for the Mountaineers.
**Host:** A great win indeed! It seemed like Javon Small was the key to unlocking things for West Virginia. Can you tell us a bit about his performance?
**Alex Reed:** Absolutely! Small was on fire, putting up a game-high 26 points and really driving the offense. As the article mentions, he was incredibly focused and was a huge factor in West Virginia building that crucial lead in the second half. [1](https://www.newsandsentinel.com/sports/local-sports/2024/12/west-virginia-defeats-georgetown-73-60/)
**Host:** It seems like Small’s performance was even more impressive given the energy lull in the arena.
**Alex Reed:** Exactly. Coach DeVries even got involved, trying to rally the crowd to give the team a boost. At the end of the day, though, it was Small’s steady play on the court that made the difference.
**Host:** Talk about leading by example! Looking ahead, how do you think this win will impact West Virginia going forward?
**Alex Reed:** This is a big win for the Mountaineers. It shows they can handle pressure and come out on top against tough opponents. The confidence gained from this victory is invaluable as they head into the rest of the season.
**Host:** Well said. Thanks for giving us such a great rundown on the game, Alex Reed. We appreciate your insights.
**Alex Reed:** My pleasure, it was a fun game to watch!
