MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University (WVU) women's basketball team secured a thrilling victory over the University of Kansas Jayhawks Wednesday night, fueled by a dominant fourth-quarter performance. The Mountaineers erased a late deficit to defeat the Jayhawks 74-65 in a Big 12 Conference matchup at the WVU Coliseum.
The win marks a significant turnaround for West Virginia (15-8, 6-6 Big 12), who had struggled in recent games. Kansas (17-7, 7-6 Big 12), entered the contest riding a wave of momentum, but ultimately succumbed to the Mountaineers' late-game surge.
The game was a back-and-forth affair for the first three quarters, with neither team able to establish a significant lead. Kansas held a narrow advantage for much of the first half, capitalizing on WVU turnovers and strong offensive rebounding. The Jayhawks led by as many as eight points in the second quarter, showcasing their ability to score in transition.
However, the Mountaineers responded with a renewed sense of urgency in the third quarter. Guard JJ Quinerly ignited the offense with several aggressive drives to the basket, drawing fouls and creating scoring opportunities for her teammates. Forward Kylee Blacksten also contributed key points, hitting crucial shots to keep West Virginia within striking distance.
Despite the improved play, the Mountaineers still trailed by five points heading into the final quarter. The WVU Coliseum crowd sensed the urgency, and the atmosphere intensified as the fourth quarter began.
It was in the fourth that West Virginia completely took over. A combination of stifling defense and clutch shooting proved to be the deciding factor. The Mountaineers held Kansas to just 10 points in the quarter, forcing turnovers and disrupting the Jayhawks' offensive rhythm.
On the offensive end, West Virginia found its shooting touch. Quinerly continued her stellar performance, scoring 12 of her game-high 25 points in the final frame. Guard Jayla Hemingway added several key baskets, including a crucial three-pointer that put the Mountaineers ahead with just over two minutes remaining.
The Mountaineers closed out the game on a 16-3 run, leaving no doubt about the outcome. The victory was a testament to West Virginia's resilience and ability to perform under pressure.
"I'm really proud of our team's effort tonight," said WVU Head Coach Mark Kellogg following the game. "We faced some adversity early on, but we never gave up. We stayed composed, executed our game plan, and came away with a big win against a very good Kansas team."
Quinerly's 25 points led all scorers. Blacksten added 16 points and eight rebounds for the Mountaineers. For Kansas, Taiyanna Jackson led the team with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Zakiyah Franklin chipped in with 14 points.
The Mountaineers' defense forced 17 Kansas turnovers, which translated into 20 points. West Virginia also outscored Kansas in the paint, 38-30.
Looking ahead, West Virginia will travel to Ames, Iowa to face the Iowa State Cyclones on Saturday. Kansas will return home to host Baylor on Sunday. The Mountaineers hope to build on this momentum and continue their climb in the Big 12 standings. For Kansas, they look to rebound from this loss and protect their home court.
