Kansas City, Mo. – The No. 15 West Virginia women’s basketball team defeated Arizona State 67-54 in the quarterfinal of the Phillips 66 Big 12 Tournament on Friday night at T-Mobile Center. A late 11-0 run secured the victory for the Mountaineers.
Mountaineers Surge in Fourth Quarter
Sydney Shaw led all players with 19 points, tying the program’s single-game record for three-pointers at the tournament with five. Gia Cooke contributed 16 points, and Jordan Harrison added 10 points, along with five assists and three steals. Kierra Wheeler likewise had a strong performance, recording eight rebounds, seven points, two assists, and three steals.
West Virginia overcame an early deficit after trailing 17-11 late in the first quarter, closing the frame with a 7-0 run to take an 18-17 lead on a layup by Celia Riviere.
Second Quarter Run
The Mountaineers built their lead in the second quarter, sparked by a three-pointer from Shaw. This ignited a 17-4 run that included additional three-pointers from Shaw and Riley Makalusky, giving West Virginia a 34-21 advantage.
Arizona State narrowed the gap to 39-30 at halftime and further reduced the lead to 40-36 in the third quarter. However, West Virginia responded with an 8-2 push, featuring baskets from Jordan Harrison and a three-point play from Kierra Wheeler, to lead 48-40 entering the final minute of the third.
In the fourth quarter, Arizona State pulled within 52-50, but West Virginia countered with an 11-0 run ignited by a three-pointer from Shaw. This run, which also included another three-pointer from Shaw and a transition three from Cooke, extended the lead to 63-50 with 2:37 remaining.
Looking Ahead
West Virginia will face either No. 6 Colorado or No. 3 Baylor in the semifinals on Saturday, March 7, with tipoff scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of the game?
The final score was West Virginia 67, Arizona State 54.
Who led West Virginia in scoring?
Sydney Shaw led West Virginia with 19 points.
When is West Virginia’s next game?
West Virginia’s next game is on Saturday, March 7, at 6:30 p.m. ET against either No. 6 Colorado or No. 3 Baylor.
With this win, what does this mean for the Mountaineers’ chances in the Big 12 Tournament?
