When you hear the phrase “the Greenbrier Five,” you might assume it refers to five U.S. presidents who have stayed at The Greenbrier, the five-star luxury resort known for its storied history, world-class amenities and once-secret Cold War congressional bunker. READ MORE: The Greenbrier Five: WVU Women stun No. 15 Duke in historic upset
But this time, the Greenbrier Five represents something far more unprecedented – even more remarkable than the dozens of heads of state who have walked the resort’s halls.
It represents WVU history.
The West Virginia women’s basketball team, down to just five eligible players after seven Mountaineers were ejected in a chaotic end to the first half, stunned No. 15 Duke 57–49 last Friday night. WVU trailed 23–20 to open the second half, yet the short-handed Mountaineers seized momentum immediately and never surrendered it, completing one of the program’s most improbable victories.
RELATED: WVU women’s basketball upsets No. 15 Duke 57-49 at The Greenbrier Tipoff
The five
Those five players – Sydney Shaw, Sydney Woodley, Riley Makalusky, Celia Riviere and Loghan Johnson – became the backbone of an upset now etched into West Virginia sports lore. Shaw was the lone remaining starter after a brief skirmish following Jordan Wood’s block of Jordan Harrison’s three-point attempt. Wood’s taunt after the play sparked the confrontation that ultimately led to seven ejections and a moment that changed the game – and the night – entirely.
“Disappointed in the ending of the half. I think we are better than that, we are going to learn a huge lesson,” said coach Mark Kellogg after the game. “But I think we’ve seen it in sports where things like that happen and you rally together… I’m so proud of that group of five. I’m proud of the whole team… That’s as good of a win as I’ve probably had.”
Shaw led all scorers with 16 points – all of them coming in the second half. When Duke trimmed the deficit to four with 37 seconds left, Shaw calmly knocked down four straight free throws to seal the upset.
“When you have nothing to lose, we might as well put it all out there – so it’s definitely free of mind,” said Shaw after the game. “Of course we want the win, so we’re still playing smart. But when you have five players and no bench, and the other team has their entire bench, you’re not exactly the first choice to win – just playing loose.”
A new era
For a program searching for its identity after star guard JJ Quinerly left for the WNBA this year, Friday’s victory may prove to be a blessing in disguise. A signature win with only five players available puts the rest of the country on notice. Coach Kellogg has long prided his teams on defense and toughness, and there is little doubt this group intends to deliver on that identity.
And while the game wasn’t played in Morgantown, the Mountaineers still enjoyed a home-court feel. A crowd of about 1,200 fans sold out the ballroom at The Greenbrier, roaring throughout the second half. As “Take Me Home, Country Roads” echoed through the resort, Kellogg cupped his hand to his ear and gestured toward the crowd – a fitting exclamation point to a night no one in West Virginia will soon forget.
