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No. 16 West Virginia beats Marshall 74-42

Jan 21, 2010 - 2:06 AM By JOHN RABY AP Sports Writer

CHARLESTON, W.Va.(AP) -- Vanessa House scored 16 points and No. 16 West Virginia earned its 16th straight win, cruising past Marshall 74-42 on Wednesday night.

Asya Bussie and Korinne Campbell added 14 points apiece, and Sarah Miles had 11 for West Virginia (18-1). The winning streak is the Mountaineers' longest since they won 22 straight during the 1991-92 season.

Marshall (11-7) was without third-leading scorer and top rebounder Tynikki Crook, who broke a bone in her hand Sunday and is out for three weeks.

Without Crook, Marshall was held to its lowest scoring output of the season. Veronica Ruiz led the Thundering Herd with 13 points.

West Virginia enjoyed a 44-27 rebounding advantage and forced 22 turnovers.

West Virginia's Liz Rapella scored six of her nine points in the first two minutes of the second half to extend an 18-point halftime lead to 38-14.

The Mountaineers earned their fifth straight win against their cross-state rival and improved to 33-15 overall against Marshall. It was the most lopsided score in the series since West Virginia won 81-39 in 1990.

West Virginia went ahead to stay on Sarah Miles' basket 4 minutes into the game. That started a 17-2 run that put the Mountaineers ahead 21-6.

West Virginia's only loss this season came at No. 5 Ohio State on Nov. 19. The Mountaineers next play at No. 4 Notre Dame on Sunday.