photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas forwards Carlton Bragg Jr. (15), Mitch Lightfoot and guard Lagerald Vick (2) celebrate a three by teammate Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk during the second half, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017 at WVU Coliseum.

Eight minutes is not even enough time to get from one side of Lawrence to the other, but for Kansas freshman Mitch Lightfoot, it proved to be the continuation of a long journey.

Enjoying his most court time since playing a career-high 14 minutes in a December win over UMKC, the freshman forward who has become KU’s seldom-used eighth man played five important minutes at the end of the first half during Tuesday’s 85-69 loss at West Virginia and held his own.

Within seconds of checking into the game, Lightfoot picked up a blocked shot and an offensive rebound while helping keep Kansas above water with senior Landen Lucas and sophomore Carlton Bragg Jr., both sitting with two first-half fouls.

Lightfoot’s final stat line did not include much more than those early contributions — 0-for-1 from the floor, 0-for-2 from the free throw line, one foul, eight minutes — but the chance to play meaningful minutes aided his ongoing quest to prove he can play.

“It (felt) better,” Lightfoot said of playing extended minutes. “Like coach says, reps are gonna help me get better and I believe him. He’s been here and done this before and he knows way more about it than I do. So I’m just gonna trust him. He knows best. And when I’m out there I’m gonna give it everything I’ve got for us to win — rebounding, defending, whatever he needs.”

Like any young player, Lightfoot would love to play more and be a bigger factor for his team. But the young forward who has shown an abundance of both poise and confidence in limited time said he finds ways to make an impact even while sitting.

“I gotta be ready all the time now and (that) helps me because I’ve gotta be engaged,” he said, noting KU’s lack of depth. “Even in the games I don’t play in I’m still engaged, trying to figure out ways to help Carlton or Lando, saying, ‘Hey, great help on that play,’ or, ‘You gotta get the roll man,’ and stuff like that. I’m just gonna try to do whatever I can when I’m off the court or on the court so when I go in I’m ready.”

Lightfoot was far from discouraged following KU’s loss to the Mountaineers on Tuesday night. Sure, he would’ve preferred a different outcome, but he did not project a vibe of self-pity or overwhelming frustration. That’s a testament, mostly, to the faith he has in KU’s upperclassmen, but also speaks volumes about his development and maturity.

“We’ve gotta be tougher down the stretch and we’ve gotta come together as a team…. It’s gonna help refocus us. We kind of got a reality check, but we’ll be OK.”

As for his first taste of the WVU Coliseum, Lightfoot tipped his cap to the Mountaineers’ environment but said that had little to do with the outcome.

“I mean, it’s crazy and all,” Lightfoot began. “But we play in Allen Fieldhouse so we know what crazy is like.”