West Virginia upset No. 3 Gonzaga 86-78 in overtime at the Battle 4 Atlantis, snapping the Mountaineers' ten-game road losing streak in dramatic fashion.
Javon Small led the charge for West Virginia with a career-high 31 points, including clutch free throws in overtime, and seven rebounds and two assists. Tucker DeVries chipped in 16 points, while Amani Hansberry posted 19 points and eight boards.
CUE. COUNTRY. ROADS!!! |
— WVU Men's Basketball (@WVUhoops)
Gonzaga built an eight-point halftime lead behind Khalif Battle's 14 first-half points but struggled to close out the game. Ryan Nembhard’s 12 assists helped keep the Bulldogs afloat, while Braden Huff added 19 points off the bench. However, Gonzaga's shooting woes in overtime — just 20% from the field — proved costly.
The Mountaineers clawed back in the second half, fueled by a 17-2 scoring run and Small’s late-game heroics, including a pivotal three-pointer in the final minute. Gonzaga’s Khalif Battle missed a contested layup at the end of regulation, sending the game into overtime tied at 71. In the extra period, West Virginia capitalized on Gonzaga’s turnovers and controlled the boards, out-rebounding the Bulldogs 42-36 overall.
The victory sends West Virginia to the semifinals against Louisville, which upset No. 14 Indiana on Wednesday, while Gonzaga faces the Hoosiers in the consolation bracket. This statement win marks a turning point for the Mountaineers under new coach Darian DeVries, while Gonzaga must regroup after its first loss of the season.
