MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University (WVU) women's basketball team pulled off a stunning 70-63 victory over the University of Kansas Jayhawks on Wednesday night at the WVU Coliseum, fueled by a dominant fourth-quarter performance that erased a double-digit deficit. The Mountaineers (15-6, 6-4 Big 12) outscored the Jayhawks 27-13 in the final frame, securing a crucial conference win after struggling through much of the game.
Kansas (14-7, 4-6 Big 12) appeared poised to secure the road victory after leading by as many as 13 points in the third quarter. However, a resilient Mountaineer squad, spurred on by a vocal home crowd, refused to concede, mounting a tenacious comeback that showcased their grit and determination.
Sophomore guard JJ Quinerly led the charge for West Virginia, scoring a game-high 23 points, including several critical baskets down the stretch. Her aggressive drives to the basket and clutch free-throw shooting proved instrumental in the Mountaineers' resurgence.
"We just kept fighting," said WVU head coach Mark Kellogg. "We didn't play our best basketball for the first three quarters, but I was proud of the way our players responded in the fourth. They showed a lot of heart and determination."
The Mountaineers' defensive intensity also ratcheted up in the final quarter, forcing key turnovers and limiting Kansas's offensive opportunities. West Virginia forced 18 turnovers throughout the game, converting those into 19 points.
Kansas senior Taiyanna Jackson led the Jayhawks with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Wyvette Mayberry added 13 points. However, the Jayhawks struggled to maintain their offensive rhythm in the face of West Virginia's increased defensive pressure.
The game began with both teams trading baskets, but Kansas gradually gained control in the second quarter, building a 33-26 lead at halftime. The Jayhawks extended their advantage in the third quarter, threatening to run away with the game.
But West Virginia refused to fold. A critical three-pointer from Madisen Smith sparked a 7-0 run late in the third, cutting the deficit to single digits and injecting life back into the Mountaineer offense.
Entering the fourth quarter trailing by six, the Mountaineers unleashed a barrage of offensive firepower. Quinerly's relentless drives to the basket, combined with timely outside shooting from Smith and Kylee Blacksten, fueled a decisive 14-2 run that gave West Virginia its first lead since the opening minutes of the game.
Kansas attempted to respond, but the Mountaineer defense held firm, forcing turnovers and disrupting the Jayhawks' offensive flow. Free throws from Quinerly and Tirzah Moore sealed the victory for West Virginia in the final minute.
"This was a huge win for us," Quinerly said. "We knew we needed to come out with more energy in the fourth quarter, and we just played with a lot of heart and passion. We wanted this win badly."
Along with Quinerly's 23 points, Smith contributed 13 points and five assists for West Virginia, while Blacksten added 10 points. Moore recorded a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.
The Mountaineers will look to build on this momentum as they travel to face Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas, on Saturday. Kansas will return home to host Baylor on Saturday.
The victory was a significant one for West Virginia, bolstering their hopes for a strong finish to the conference season and a potential NCAA Tournament berth. Coach Kellogg emphasized the importance of maintaining this level of intensity and consistency as they move forward.
"We need to build on this win and continue to improve," Kellogg said. "We know we have a tough road ahead of us, but we're confident that if we play with the same heart and determination we showed tonight, we can achieve our goals." The team's resilience in the face of adversity on Wednesday night proved that the Mountaineers are a force to be reckoned with in the Big 12 Conference.
