• Recap
• Bleachers

No. 9 West Virginia pulls away from Georgetown

Feb 14, 2010 - 9:53 PM MORGANTOWN, W.Va.(AP) -- West Virginia has been unbeatable at home this season.

Reserve Natalie Burton scored a season-high 11 points and Liz Repella added 11 as No. 9 West Virginia made it a perfect 15-0 at home this season, beating No. 16 Georgetown 55-46 on Sunday.

The Mountaineers have now won 17 straight games at home dating back to last year, setting a new school record.

Dressed in special pink uniforms to honor the WBCA Pink Zone and raise awareness for breast cancer, West Virginia's defense had the Hoyas off their game. The Mountaineers held the Hoyas to just 23.1 percent shooting and outrebounded Georgetown 46-36.

"They pressured us and forced us out of our sets," Georgetown coach Terri Williams-Fournoy said. "We weren't patent enough offensively and took some shots that we shouldn't have."

Burton played just 14 minutes and just three in the second half, but made the most of her time on the court. The 6-foot-5 sophomore averages only 2.9 points and 2.2 rebounds.

"I thought Natalie Burton came in and gave us some great minutes," WVU head coach Mike Carey said. "These were 11 points we weren't counting on. This is what we imagined - that she could come in and give us quality minutes."

Burton scored eight of WVU's last 12 first-half points, keeping the game out of Georgetown's reach.

"It's awesome to come out and have a game like that," Burton said. "I can try to feed of that and use that confidence and carry it over into other games."

The Mountaineers led by 12 at halftime, but came out flat to start the second half. Up 34-21 with 15:50 to play, nothing could seem to fall for WVU and Georgetown heated up.

Monica McNutt scored 11 points during a 12-0 Georgetown run over the next 2:30 that drew the Hoyas within one.

That's all the closer Georgetown would get.

Korinne Campbell hit a 3-pointer that ignited WVU offensively and the Mountaineers outscored the Hoyas 21-13 the rest of the way.

"They battled and did what it took to win the game," Carey said. "I'm happy to win the game."

Madina Ali had 10 points and led the Mountaineers with 11 boards.

Sugar Rodgers led the Hoyas with 12 points while McNutt added 11.