Post by : Maya Rahman

Mark Kellogg, head coach of West Virginia, began the second half with just two words on his board: “Believe” and “Breathe.” With a mere five eligible players after a series of ejections, the team's chances appeared bleak. However, Kellogg urged his players to maintain their composure, trust in each other, and persevere against the odds. His motivational words resonated and became the backbone for one of the season’s most unexpected victories.

Kellogg described this as possibly the most chaotic game of his coaching career, expressing immense pride in his team's grit, resilience, and spirit. He highlighted that West Virginia embodies the fighting spirit of the state, which was on full display during this matchup. Even with only one regular starter among the five on the court, the Mountaineers stayed focused, avoided foul trouble, and displayed remarkable patience. They managed to convert a seemingly insurmountable situation into a 57-49 win against the No. 15 ranked Duke in front of a fervent audience at Colonial Hall at the Greenbrier.

Although officially labeled as a neutral-site game, the atmosphere resembled a West Virginia home match, with over 1,200 fans dressed in blue and gold enthusiastically supporting their team. After the match, “Take Me Home, Country Roads” resonated throughout the venue. Kellogg was pleasantly surprised to hear the tune so far from Morgantown and took a moment to celebrate the achievement with his five players.

The game shifted dramatically due to a confrontation at the close of the first half. With Duke in the lead, 23-20, an altercation erupted when Duke's Jordan Wood directed a remark at West Virginia’s Jordan Harrison. Following a push from Harrison, a brawl ensued. After a review, officials ejected both Harrison and Wood for brawling, with five additional West Virginia players penalized for leaving their benches. Duke's Ashlon Jackson and Arianna Roberson received Flagrant 1 fouls, resulting in West Virginia being reduced to only five eligible players for the second half.

With the limited roster, Kellogg had to quickly devise a new strategy. Sydney Shaw was the only starting player left, and she hadn't scored in the first half. The remaining players were largely on the bench or transfers unfamiliar with significant minutes. Kellogg entrusted the offense to Shaw and opted for a defensive 2-3 zone to avoid fouls. Every move needed to be calculated, with zero room for mistakes.

Surprisingly, the strategy yielded better results than anticipated as West Virginia outscored Duke 24-9 in the third quarter. The Blue Devils struggled against the zone defense, often bewildered and shooting poorly. The Mountaineers found their confidence and rhythm, achieving a double-digit lead by quarter's end—a remarkable turnaround considering the situation after halftime.

Duke coach Kara Lawson acknowledged West Virginia's deserved victory, praising their tenacity and vibrancy but lamenting that her squad didn't adequately respond to the chaos of halftime. She cited that only a few athletes displayed the necessary effort and took responsibility for her team's lackluster performance post-intermission.

In the final quarter, West Virginia maintained their lead. Shaw concluded the match with 16 points, seven rebounds, and three assists, while Rivière added 12 points and eight rebounds. The Mountaineers effectively sunk 14 of 18 free throws in the second half, capitalizing on Duke’s missed opportunities and turnovers. Despite Duke narrowing the gap to four points with 36 seconds remaining, West Virginia sealed the match with key free throws and composure.

As the final buzzer sounded, West Virginia reveled in a monumental victory. Rivière celebrated with the fans, and the team shared a moment of quiet euphoria. Kellogg expressed hope that this victory could serve as a transformative moment for the team. With a season record of 4-0, this win demonstrated a fundamental truth: West Virginia excels under adversity.

#Sports News