MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — The No. 19 West Virginia Mountaineers delivered an impressive performance on Saturday, defeating Oklahoma State with a commanding score of 72-40. Gia Cooke was the standout player, contributing 21 points, including five 3-pointers, while Kierra Wheeler notched up 18 points along with 10 rebounds, marking her seventh double-double of the season.
The Mountaineers displayed strong shooting throughout the game, hitting 29 of 57 attempts (51%) from the field, in stark contrast to the Cowgirls’ 23%. Jordan Harrison also made a notable contribution, finishing with 12 points.
West Virginia set the tone early, jumping ahead with an 8-0 run, and maintained a significant lead throughout, finishing the first quarter ahead by double digits. They extended their dominance in the second quarter with an 18-2 run, scoring the last 12 points of the half to lead 49-23. The momentum continued into the third quarter as they scored the initial six points, bringing their run to an impressive 24-2.
Looking ahead, West Virginia will face UCF on Wednesday, while Oklahoma State is set to visit Iowa State on the same day. The decisive win boosts the Mountaineers’ confidence as they prepare for the upcoming games, showcasing their ability to perform under pressure and dominating the Big 12 conference standings.