West Virginia Mountaineers Triumph Over BYU
In a thrilling matchup on Saturday night, the No. 22 ranked West Virginia Mountaineers showcased their resilience by coming back from a significant 13-point gap to secure a 91-77 victory over BYU. This win improves their record to 17-4 overall and 7-2 within the Big 12 Conference.
Key Performers
Sydney Woodley led the way for the Mountaineers, scoring 23 points with remarkable shooting accuracy, hitting 6 out of 7 field goals and 11 of 12 free throws, while also contributing four steals. Her teammate, Gia Cooke, was also instrumental in the win, adding 21 points, including four 3-pointers and providing four assists.
Carter McCray made a notable impact off the bench, achieving her first double-double of the season with 13 points and 11 rebounds. In addition, both Jordan Harrison and Kierra Wheeler made significant contributions, scoring 11 points each, with Harrison also collecting six assists and four steals.
For BYU, sophomore Delaney Gibb emerged as the standout player, scoring a season-high 28 points. Support from Olivia Hamlin, who scored 13, and Marya Hudgins, who added 10 points and seven rebounds, were also key for the Cougars, who fall to 15-5 overall and 4-4 in conference play.
Game Highlights
The game began with BYU racing out to an impressive start, executing a 20-7 run, capped by a 3-pointer from Hamlin. As the first quarter came to an end, West Virginia responded with a 9-1 run, narrowing the gap to just five points. The second quarter saw the Mountaineers take control, outscoring BYU 15-3 to pull ahead, entering halftime with a slender 41-38 advantage.
After the break, BYU quickly equalized with a shot from behind the arc by Gibb. West Virginia, however, countered effectively, launching a 14-2 surge that established their first double-digit lead at 55-43. Although Gibb managed to keep the Cougars in contention with eight points in that stretch, West Virginia maintained their lead with an 8-2 run to solidify their advantage heading into the final period, ultimately securing the win without facing any serious threats.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, West Virginia will face Utah on Tuesday, while BYU will travel to Oklahoma State on Wednesday. Both teams continue their pursuit of success amid a challenging schedule that includes battling ranked opponents.
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