KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The No. 15 West Virginia Mountaineers women’s basketball team secured a spot in the Big 12 Tournament semifinals Friday night, defeating Arizona State 67-54 at the T-Mobile Center. A late-game surge, highlighted by an 11-0 run, propelled West Virginia past a resilient Sun Devils squad.
Sydney Shaw led all scorers with 19 points, tying a program record for three-pointers made in a Big 12 Tournament game with five successful shots from beyond the arc. Gia Cooke contributed 16 points, while Jordan Harrison added 10 points, five assists and three steals in a well-rounded performance. Kierra Wheeler also made a significant impact, grabbing eight rebounds and adding seven points, two assists, and three steals.
The Mountaineers overcame a slow start, trailing 17-11 late in the first quarter before closing the period on a 7-0 run. A layup by Celia Riviere with 32 seconds remaining tied the game and shifted momentum in West Virginia’s favor. This victory marks the third consecutive season the Mountaineers have reached the 25-win plateau, a first in program history, and represents the third-highest win total over a three-year span for the team.
West Virginia’s offense truly ignited in the second quarter, sparked by Shaw’s early three-pointer. This led to a dominant 17-4 run, featuring additional three-pointers from Shaw and Riley Makalusky, extending their lead to 34-21 with 6:05 left in the half. While Arizona State battled back to cut the deficit to 39-30 at halftime, the Mountaineers consistently answered their opponents’ challenges.
Mountaineers Respond to Arizona State’s Pressure
Arizona State continued to pressure West Virginia in the third quarter, narrowing the gap to 40-36. However, the Mountaineers responded with an 8-2 push, fueled by consecutive baskets from Harrison and a three-point play from Wheeler, restoring a comfortable 48-40 advantage entering the final minute of the quarter.
The Sun Devils refused to concede, mounting a final charge in the fourth quarter and pulling within 52-50 on a three-pointer from Marley Washenitz at the 8:05 mark. West Virginia immediately countered with a decisive run of their own. Shaw drilled another three-pointer at 7:35, igniting an 11-0 surge that included another triple from Shaw and a transition three from Cooke. This burst extended the lead to 63-50 with 2:37 remaining, effectively sealing the victory for the Mountaineers.
Looking Ahead to the Semifinals
The Mountaineers will now face either No. 6 Colorado or No. 3 Baylor in the Big 12 Tournament semifinals on Saturday, March 7. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ESPN+. Fans can locate more information about the team at WVUsports.com and can follow WVUWBB on X, Instagram, and Facebook.
This semifinal matchup presents a significant opportunity for West Virginia to continue their impressive season and contend for the Big 12 Tournament championship. The outcome of the Colorado-Baylor game will determine the Mountaineers’ opponent and the path forward in their pursuit of a conference title.
Share your thoughts on the Mountaineers’ performance and predictions for the semifinals in the comments below!
