WVU Women’s Basketball Secures Road Win With Late Push

WVU Women’s Basketball opened the new year with a Quadrant 1 win over the Kansas Jayhawks, taking a 15-2 run into the fourth quarter that put them in front for good after 13 lead changes and four ties in the first 30 minutes.

The Mountaineers (12-2, 2-0 Big 12) made 50 percent of their shots, including a 13-of-27 tear from three. 22 forced turnovers turned into 28 points for West Virginia.

Gia Cooke (24 points, 6-of-9 from three) and Sydney Shaw (18 points, 4-of-8 from three) both came out firing to help the Mountaineers hold pace against an early Jayhawks’ onslaught. Cooke tied the game 14-13 with her second three late in the first quarter, but five quick points from S’Mya Nichols put Kansas back in front.

A Shaw three and a Carter McCray and-one gave West Virginia their first lead of the game midway through the second period and, although two steals in a span of 27 seconds from Loghan Johnson helped the Mountaineers make it 35-34, a jumper at the buzzer put Kansas in front at the break.

The Jayhawks pulled ahead 51-50 with 3:05 to play in the third. Shaw responded with a three that began the Mountaineers’ run, and a barrage of triples from her, Cooke and Kierra Wheeler pushed the lead as high as 17 before a 16-6 span from the Jayhawks made the final score look more respectable.

Up next, WVU Women’s Basketball will continue their road trip, taking on Kansas State at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 4.