After a hard fought battle, the West Virginia Mountaineers (13-2, 3-0) left Manhattan, Kansas with a win. The Mountaineers trailed until the third quarter, but outlasted the Wildcat to record the win, 60-58. Read more: WVU and Kansas State nail-biter: WVU comes out on top.
1st half
The Mountaineers started strong in Bramlage Coliseum, finding the first four points of the quarter. The atmosphere in the arena, referred to as the “Octagon of Doom,” is known to be extremely loud and intense.
Early on, the Wildcats and the Mountaineers battled for the lead. WVU attacked early in transition and established its presence in the paint, while defensively limiting Kansas State’s early shot opportunities. Despite WVU’s attempts, Kansas State was ahead 12-11 at the end of the first quarter.
The Wildcats attempted to run off with the lead in the second, but the Mountaineers were quick to respond, WVU didn’t allow the gap to widen past five points. Despite Kansas State’s push, the Mountaineers relyied on defensive stops and successful buckets to keep the game within reach heading into halftime. At the end of the second, KSU was leading 31-28.
Read related: “Hitter’s Row” of tough opponents presents opportunity and challenge for WVU hoops.
2nd half
A nice assist from Carter McCray allowed Kierra Wheeler to open the half with a bucket, cutting the deficit to one. Then, Sydney Shaw won a defensive rebound that would set the takeover in motion. Gia Cooke made a driving layup to tie 39-39 with less than three minutes remaining.
This momentum rattled the Wildcats. They immediately took a timeout to regroup. Jordan Harrison went 2-for-2 on the foul line to find the first lead of the game: 41-39. By the end of the third, West Virginia was ahead 45-41. The late surge shifted the energy firmly in West Virginia’s favor, silencing the home crowd and giving the Mountaineers confidence heading into the final 10 minutes.
WVU started fast in the fourth. With points from Wheeler, McCray, and Cooke, the Mountaineers were on track for a win.
Kansas State responded with defensive pressure, forcing WVU into two turnovers by Harrison and Cooke. KSU then quickly took the lead with a point from Tess Heal to bring the game 52-51. The teams went back and forth for the lead with only one minute remaining.
Every possession carried weight as both teams traded baskets and defensive stops in a tense final stretch. Harrison brought the lead up two more points, going 2-for-2 on the foul line to secure the win. The Mountaineers won the match 60-58.
What’s next?
The Mountaineers are back at home on January 7, 2026 to face Texas Tech. WVU is currently 3-0 in the Big 12, with Kansas State marking their third consecutive victory to start conference play. The determination the Mountaineers showed in Kansas will undoubtedly help play well in Hope Coliseum next week.
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