Kevin Jones had 26 points to lead four in double figures as West Virginia hung on for a 77-74 overtime win over visiting Cincinnati.

Jones hit two free throws early in the extra session and the Mountaineers (15-5, 5-2 Big East), who won their fourth consecutive game in the series, never trailed again.

Cincinnati (15-5, 5-2 Big East) had won seven consecutive road games in conference play, but could only get to within 75-74 on a tip-in by JaQuon Parker with a minute left.

With the game tied at 69-69, a bizarre final six seconds of regulation ensued. Dion Dixon missed a potential tying layup for Cincinnati, and then West Virginia’s Darryl Bryant had trouble hanging on to the outlet pass. After a scramble for the ball, no tie-up signal was made by the referee, though the clock was stopped at two seconds. The referees met and sent the game to overtime.

The host Mountaineers led for virtually the entire first half and built a cushion as large as nine on a free throw by Gary Browne at the 5:03 mark. But the Bearcats finished the half strong, going into the locker room on a 14-4 run, thanks in large part to Parker, who scored all seven of his first half points in the final five minutes. Cincinnati grabbed its first and only lead of the half at 33-32 on a layup from Cheikh Mbodj with 11 seconds left.

Cashmere Wright scored 14 of his 17 points in the second half to lead the Bearcats.