Mark Kellogg Puts Everything in Perspective After NCAA Tournament First Round Win

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – WVU women’s basketball took care of business in their first round game against Miami (Ohio), at least that’s how head coach Mark Kellogg referred to it after the game.

West Virginia won big, pulling away in the second half for an 82-54 finish. But the win meant more than just getting the Mountaineers to the next round. Kellogg was able to put this team achieving its goal for the day and what winning the program’s first NCAA Tournament game at home since 1992 into perspective.

“It was electric. It was everything I think that you would want… Very appreciative of everybody. Run it back on Monday,” said Kellogg.

“I hosted some DII regionals and had some packed gyms, but nothing like this one. To end up at this point in my career, hosting an NCAA Tournament game at home, was really special,” he said while reflecting on his career journey.

All in all, the experience lived up to what has been in Kellogg’s dreams since he arrived in Morgantown three years ago.

“You have goals and visions when you take over a program and this is certainly part of that hosting an NCAA Tournament. It doesn’t guarantee anything but for the program, the state – it’s special. He woke up at peace excited about it and for his team. So many emotions when he woke up today.”

On his team’s actual play, Kellogg was most satisfied with two aspects of the game – getting four different players into double figures in scoring and building a comfortable enough lead to be able to rest starters in the final minutes and make sure every player was able to soak up the moment in the game.

WVU women’s basketball guard Sydney Shaw during a postgame interview after West Virginia’s 2026 NCAA Tournament win over Miami (Ohio). (WVSN photo by Kelsie LeRose)

Shaw led the way with 19 points, connecting on 6-of-12 from the field. She added nine rebounds. Cooke put up 18 of her own and Harrison scored 15 points with one three, eight assists and four rebounds. Kierra Wheeler rounded out the big night with 14 points, tying Shaw for the team lead with nine rebounds and three assists.

Kellogg even singled Shaw out as playing at a level that allowed the team to be at their best collectively.

“Sydney Shaw was really good. She was aggressive and found different ways to score. She has the ability to get to the rim and had two and ones. She found some different ways to score and was involved with the rebounding.”

The WVU women march on and will face Kentucky on Monday in the second round, providing fans one last opportunity to watch their team play at home. A win over Kentucky gets West Virginia to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1992 and for only the second time on the women’s side in program history.

Find more coverage of the WVU women’s basketball program at WV Sports Now.

For related content, WV Sports Now asked fans how far they believe the Mountaineers will advance in the Women’s NCAA Tournament.

Also, Mike Asti and Luke Blain discuss the pressure on WVU on the latest Mountaineer Report.