WVU Women’s Basketball Erupts in Third, Drops UCF

WVU Women’s Basketball went off in the third quarter of their 72-64 road win over UCF on Wednesday, Feb. 25, overcoming a halftime deficit with a 31-9 outburst that left the Knights in the dust.

The No. 17 Mountaineers (23-6, 13-4 Big 12) scored the first six points out of the half, pulling ahead 31-27. UCF promptly tied the game, but West Virginia responded with a 17-0 run that put them in command.

Jordan Harrison (16 points) and Kierra “Meme” Wheeler (12 points) each put up six during the run, while Sydney Shaw added a pair of three-pointers during the frame. Gia Cooke (19 points) powered the Mountaineers with consistent offense throughout, knocking down four of seven three-point shots on the night.

West Virginia made just two shots in the first 6:26 of play, but triples from Cooke and Shaw helped them find their footing; Cooke put them in front with another three early in the second quarter, helping to build a 25-19 lead, but the Mountaineers made just one shot in the final 5:49, helping UCF creep ahead.

West Virginia took a 20 point lead into the fourth quarter and, although the Knights whittled the advantage to 60-49 midway through the frame, timely shooting ensured they drew no closer.

Up next, WVU Women’s Basketball will host Cincinnati in their regular season finale at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 1.