WVU Stuns No. 15 Duke Amid Ejections, Chaos
In a game packed with drama, the West Virginia University (WVU) women’s basketball team toppled No. 15 Duke 54-51 in a Thursday night thriller. The clash at WVU Coliseum spiraled into chaos after a fourth-quarter scuffle led to six ejections, but the Mountaineers held firm to secure a statement victory.
Game of Runs and Rising Tensions
The battle was tight from tip-off, with both teams exchanging leads in a defensive struggle. Duke’s Reigan Richardson and Kennedy Brown appeared to take control early, but WVU’s relentless pressure kept them close. Guard JJ Quinerly, the Mountaineers’ leading scorer, delivered clutch plays late, finishing with 18 points and 5 steals.
Tensions exploded with under four minutes left after Duke’s Taina Mair fouled WVU’s Jordan Harrison. Players from both sides rushed in, sparking a near-brawl near the scorer’s table. Officials ejected three players from each team: WVU’s Lauren Fields, Jayla Hemingway, and Kylee Blacksten, and Duke’s Jadyn Donovan, Camilla Emsbo, and Mair.
WVU’s Resilience Seals Historic Win
Down to seven available players, WVU locked in defensively. Head coach Mark Kellogg praised the team’s grit: “We preach toughness daily, and tonight, our girls embodied it.” Duke had a final chance to tie but committed a costly turnover, sealing their fate. The Blue Devils shot just 32% from the field and coughed up 18 turnovers—key factors in the upset.
Implications for Both Teams
- WVU (3-0): The win boosts their NCAA Tournament resume and establishes them as a Big 12 contender. Quinerly’s leadership and defensive intensity will be vital moving forward.
- Duke (1-1): Discipline and shooting woes haunted the Blue Devils. Coach Kara Lawson must address these issues before ACC play.
Social Media Frenzy
The wild finish sparked reactions online. Former WVU star Bria Holmes tweeted, “Mountaineer toughness on full display! #HailWV.” Duke fans lamented missed opportunities, with one posting, “Too many mental errors—can’t win like this.”
What’s Next?
- WVU faces Penn State next, riding high on momentum.
- Duke looks to rebound against Davidson.
Final Score: WVU 54, No. 15 Duke 51
Key Stat: WVU scored 20 points off 18 Duke turnovers.
Player of the Game: JJ Quinerly (18 pts, 5 stls, 3 rebs).
— Reporting for NextMinuteNews by [Your Name]
