The West Virginia women’s basketball team achieved a remarkable upset against No. 11 Duke, winning 57-49 on Friday, despite facing significant adversity. The Mountaineers lost their entire bench following a skirmish at the end of the second quarter that resulted in seven ejections between both teams.
The situation escalated during the halftime buzzer at Colonial Hall in West Virginia when Duke forward Jordan Wood blocked a 3-point shot attempt by West Virginia guard Jordan Harrison. After the play, Wood reportedly directed a taunt towards Harrison, prompting a physical altercation. Both players received Flagrant 2 fouls and were ejected, while two other Duke players, guard Ashlon Jackson and center Ari Roberson, were assessed Flagrant 1 fouls.
In an unexpected turn of events, West Virginia’s entire bench, including starters Jordan Thomas, Kierra Wheeler, and Gia Cooke, rushed onto the court amidst the chaos, leading to their ejections. This situation left the Mountaineers with just five players for the second half.
Despite being reduced to a handful of players, West Virginia showcased incredible resilience. They outscored Duke 24-9 in the third quarter and built a commanding lead of 15 points late in the game. Although Duke mounted a late comeback, reducing the deficit to four points in the final seconds, West Virginia’s Sydney Shaw secured the victory with four crucial free throws.
West Virginia head coach Mark Kellogg expressed his pride in the team’s performance, acknowledging the challenges they faced. “Disappointed in the ending of the half, but I think we’ve seen it in sports where things like that happen and you rally together,” he said. “I’m so proud of that group of five. That’s as good of a win as I’ve probably had.”
Shaw played 38 minutes and led the team with 16 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. The Mountaineers improved their season record to 4-0, while Duke, shooting just 38% from the field, fell to 2-2, with only guard Taina Mair reaching double digits on the scoreboard with 10 points.
This game not only underlines the competitive spirit of the Mountaineers but also serves as a testament to their ability to overcome obstacles, making their victory a memorable moment in the season.