Full Breakdown
West Virginia Women's Basketball Pulls Off Stunning Upset Over No. 15 Duke
11/15/2025, 12:46:00 PM
Dramatic Turn of Events at the Greenbrier Tipoff
The West Virginia women's basketball team achieved a remarkable upset against No. 15 Duke, winning 57-49 at the Greenbrier Tipoff in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. The game took a dramatic turn when a skirmish at the end of the second quarter resulted in the ejection of six Mountaineers players, leaving only five available for the entire second half. At halftime, Duke led 23-20, but West Virginia's remaining players rallied to outscore the Blue Devils 37-26 in the second half.
The Ejections That Changed the Game
The altercation began when Duke forward Jordan Wood blocked a shot from West Virginia guard Jordan Harrison as time expired in the first half. Following the block, Wood taunted Harrison, prompting a physical response that escalated into a shoving match. Both players received Flagrant 2 fouls and were ejected, along with five additional Mountaineers who left the bench to join the fray. This left West Virginia with only five players: senior guard Sydney Shaw, senior guard Sydney Woodley, and junior transfers Riley Makalusky and Loghan Johnson, along with senior forward Célia Rivière.
Resilience and Strategy
Despite the overwhelming odds, West Virginia's coach Mark Kellogg emphasized the importance of resilience. “You see it in sports every once in a while when something happens and the team rallies,” he stated. The Mountaineers adapted their strategy, focusing on a 2-3 zone defense and capitalizing on free throw opportunities. They shot 14-of-18 from the free throw line in the second half, which proved crucial in maintaining their lead.
Sydney Shaw led the Mountaineers with 16 points and seven rebounds, playing 38 minutes without substitutions. Rivière, who had only played two minutes in the first half, stepped up significantly, contributing 12 points and eight rebounds. The Mountaineers outscored Duke 24-9 in the third quarter, taking a commanding lead.
Duke's Struggles and Criticism
Duke's performance was marked by inefficiency, shooting just 38% from the field and 16.7% from three-point range. The Blue Devils struggled to respond to West Virginia's aggressive play, with only one player, Taina Mair, reaching double digits with 10 points. Duke's head coach Kara Lawson acknowledged her team's shortcomings, stating, “They (Mountaineers) were ready to play and compete, and we were not.”
Official Statements & Responses
Mark Kellogg expressed pride in his team's performance, calling it one of the most special wins he has experienced. He noted the importance of this victory as a potential rallying point for the season. Conversely, Lawson faced scrutiny for her team's lack of preparedness, with fans expressing disbelief over Duke's inability to secure a win against an unranked opponent.
What's Next for Both Teams
Following this upset, West Virginia improved to a perfect 4-0 record and will face Appalachian State at home on November 20. Duke, now 2-2, will look to regroup against Liberty University on November 17. The outcome of this game has raised questions about Duke's performance and resilience moving forward in the season.
