MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University (WVU) women's basketball team overcame a sluggish start and a persistent Kansas Jayhawks squad, surging late in the fourth quarter to secure a 72-65 victory Wednesday night at the WVU Coliseum. The Mountaineers, fueled by a dominant performance from their frontcourt and a timely scoring burst down the stretch, improved to 18-6 on the season and 7-5 in Big 12 Conference play.
Kansas, who entered the game looking to upset the Mountaineers on their home court, fell to 15-9 overall and 5-7 in the conference. Despite leading for much of the first half, the Jayhawks struggled to contain West Virginia’s inside game and ultimately couldn't withstand the Mountaineers' late push.
"This was a tough, hard-fought win against a really good Kansas team," said WVU Head Coach Dawn Plitzuweit after the game. "I was proud of our players for staying resilient, especially when things weren't going our way early on. We made some key adjustments and our post players really stepped up."
The Mountaineers' victory was spearheaded by a double-double performance from junior forward Kylee Blacksten. Blacksten dominated the paint, scoring a game-high 20 points and pulling down 12 rebounds. Her presence inside forced Kansas to adjust their defensive strategy, opening up opportunities for West Virginia’s guards.
Junior guard JJ Quinerly also contributed significantly, adding 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. Quinerly’s aggressive drives to the basket kept the Kansas defense on their heels and ignited the Mountaineer offense during crucial moments of the game.
The first half saw Kansas dictate the tempo, as they built an early lead thanks to efficient shooting and strong perimeter defense. The Jayhawks led by as many as seven points in the second quarter, capitalizing on WVU’s turnovers and cold shooting from beyond the arc. However, the Mountaineers chipped away at the deficit, heading into halftime trailing by just three points.
West Virginia came out with renewed energy in the third quarter, tightening their defense and finding more success on the offensive end. They took their first lead of the game midway through the period, but Kansas quickly responded, setting the stage for a back-and-forth fourth quarter.
With the score tied at 60 with just under four minutes remaining, West Virginia seized control. Blacksten scored six consecutive points in the paint, showcasing her strength and agility. A crucial steal by Quinerly led to a fast-break layup, extending the Mountaineers' lead to eight and effectively sealing the victory.
Kansas struggled to find an answer in the final minutes, as their shots began to fall short and the WVU defense locked down. The Jayhawks were led by guard Zakiyah Franklin, who scored 18 points, but she was unable to carry her team to victory.
"We knew Kansas was going to come in here and give us their best shot," Blacksten said. "We just had to stay composed and trust our game plan. I'm proud of the way we fought back and found a way to win."
The Mountaineers finished the game shooting 45% from the field, while holding Kansas to just 38%. WVU also outrebounded the Jayhawks 40-32, a key factor in their victory.
Looking ahead, West Virginia will travel to Waco, Texas, to face the Baylor Bears on Saturday. Kansas will return home to host Oklahoma State on the same day. The Mountaineers will look to build on their momentum and continue their climb in the Big 12 standings, while the Jayhawks will seek to rebound from this tough road loss.
