MORGANTOWN, WV – The West Virginia University women's basketball team overcame a sluggish start and a double-digit deficit to defeat the University of Kansas Jayhawks 72-65 Saturday afternoon at the WVU Coliseum. A dominant fourth-quarter performance, fueled by tenacious defense and clutch shooting, propelled the Mountaineers to victory.
The win improves West Virginia's record to 18-6 overall and 7-5 in Big 12 conference play. Kansas drops to 16-9 on the season and 6-6 in the conference.
"I'm just really proud of our team's resilience," said West Virginia head coach Mark Kellogg after the game. "We didn't play our best basketball for much of the game, but we found a way to dig deep and make the plays we needed to down the stretch. That's the mark of a good team."
Kansas controlled the tempo for much of the first three quarters. The Jayhawks’ offense, led by guard Zakiyah Franklin, who finished with a game-high 22 points, consistently found open looks. They built a lead as large as 12 points in the third quarter, exploiting defensive lapses by the Mountaineers and capitalizing on second-chance opportunities.
West Virginia struggled to find their offensive rhythm early, shooting a dismal 35% from the field in the first half. Their usually reliable three-point shooting was also cold, as they connected on just 2 of 11 attempts from beyond the arc before halftime.
However, the Mountaineers’ fortunes began to shift in the fourth quarter. A renewed sense of urgency on defense sparked a dramatic turnaround. They ratcheted up the pressure, forcing turnovers and disrupting Kansas’ offensive flow.
Sophomore guard JJ Quinerly ignited the comeback with a series of steals and fast-break layups. Her aggressive play energized the crowd and ignited a spark in her teammates. Quinerly finished the game with 18 points, 5 steals, and 4 assists, playing a pivotal role in the Mountaineers’ victory.
"We knew we had to pick up the intensity," Quinerly said. "We weren't playing with the energy we needed to, and we knew we had to change that. We just started playing harder, and things started to fall into place."
Alongside Quinerly, senior guard Madisen Smith contributed 16 points, including several key free throws in the final minutes to ice the game. Forward Kylee Blacksten also added 14 points and 8 rebounds, providing a crucial presence in the paint.
The Mountaineers outscored Kansas 28-14 in the final quarter, showcasing a balanced attack and stifling defense. They shot 64% from the field in the fourth quarter, a stark contrast to their earlier struggles. The team also connected on 10 of 12 free throws in the final frame, demonstrating composure under pressure.
Kansas struggled to maintain their offensive momentum in the face of West Virginia's relentless defense. Franklin, who had been dominant for much of the game, was held in check in the fourth quarter, scoring only 4 points. The Jayhawks committed several costly turnovers down the stretch, allowing the Mountaineers to capitalize and seize control of the game.
"We just didn't handle the pressure well in the fourth quarter," said Kansas head coach Brandon Schneider. "West Virginia really turned up their defensive intensity, and we just couldn't match it. We made some careless turnovers and didn't execute our offense the way we needed to."
With under a minute remaining, and West Virginia leading by three points, Smith drained two free throws extending the lead to five, and effectively sealing the victory for the Mountaineers.
The win marks a significant victory for West Virginia as they continue their push towards the NCAA Tournament. The Mountaineers will look to build on this momentum as they travel to Lubbock, Texas, to face Texas Tech on Wednesday. Kansas will return home to host Baylor on the same day.
