WVU Women’s Basketball Stays in AP Poll Despite Recent Losses

WVU women’s basketball managed to stay in the latest AP Poll on Monday, despite losing their previous two games.

They come in tied for No. 24 with UNLV, who joined this most recent poll, as both teams received 61 votes. They dropped two spots from No. 22 in last week’s AP poll, as they lost to then ranked No. 10 Kansas State, 73-64 in overtime on the road last Wednesday and to then ranked No. 24 Baylor on Saturday, 66-65 at home.

In both games, the Mountaineers held a sizable lead before relinquishing it in their defeats. They had an eight-point lead late in the third quarter against the Wildcats, but sophomore guard Jordan Harrison hit a last-second layup to force it into overtime. The Wildcats did not let up in that overtime period, outscoring the Mountaineers 16-5 for the victory.

West Virginia led Baylor throughout the first half, before the road team dominated in the third quarter, with a 25-14 advantage to take a 50-42 lead. Despite falling behind, West Virginia battled back and junior guard JJ Quinerly made a 3-pointer to give her team a 65-64 lead with a minute to go. She also turned the ball over in the final seconds and committed a foul, giving Baylor two free throws to settle the game for the victory.

This is the second time the Mountaineers have suffered consecutive losses this season, as they lost 70-49 to the then ranked No. 5 Texas Longhorns on Jan. 6 at home and on the road, 74-64, to the Iowa State Cyclones on Jan. 10.

The rest of the Big 12 saw some teams rise and others fall. Texas rose to No. 3, with wins over Texas Tech and UCF, along with Iowa and Stanford dropping due to recent losses.

Kansas State dropped five spots from No. 10 to No. 15, as they lost to rival Kansas on the road on Sunday, even with the win over WVU.

Oklahoma and Baylor both rose three spots to No. 20 and No. 21, respectively. Oklahoma won on the road against Cincinnati and demolished rival Oklahoma State at home, 91-56, while Baylor had wins against WVU women’s basketball and Kansas at home.

WVU women’s basketball finishes their regular season with two games against Oklahoma State on the road Tuesday night and then TCU at home for Senior Day on Saturday.