BOULDER, Colo. — Javon Small delivered an impressive performance with 26 points, and Joseph Yesufu contributed 18 points, helping No. 21 West Virginia secure a 78-70 victory over Colorado on Sunday. This matchup marked the inaugural clash between the two schools as members of the Big 12 Conference.

The Mountaineers, now sitting at 12-3 with a 3-1 record in the Big 12, navigated some foul difficulties throughout the game. They utilized a decisive late 13-4 run to maintain their lead against Colorado, who managed to cut the lead down to just two points with 5:28 remaining in the game. Yesufu was instrumental during this crucial stretch, scoring eight points to help solidify West Virginia’s stance.

On the other side, Colorado’s Julian Hammond III shone brightly with 23 points, while Assane Diop added 13 points. This loss marks the Buffaloes’ fourth consecutive defeat, bringing their record to 9-6, with a disappointing 0-4 in conference play.

A key moment in the game occurred after Colorado had trimmed West Virginia’s lead to just three points. With the Mountaineers facing a loss of two starters due to foul trouble, they executed a quick break that culminated in a layup and free throw from Yesufu, extending their lead to 71-65 with just 1:23 left on the clock.

In terms of notable plays, Small, who is currently the leading scorer in the Big 12 and the reigning player of the week, pushed West Virginia ahead with three consecutive three-point shots that gave them their largest lead of the game at 49-35 early in the second half. In contrast, Colorado entered the game struggling with turnovers and ended with 14, the worst turnover margin in the conference.

Prior to the start of the game, the Colorado team honored former head football coach Bill McCartney, who passed away at the age of 84, with a moment of silence.

Following this game, Colorado finds itself with a season record of 2-2 against ranked opponents. On a positive note, West Virginia managed to bounce back from a recent unexpected home defeat against Arizona, which had halted a seven-game winning streak for the team.

Looking ahead, both teams are scheduled to play again on Wednesday; Colorado will host Cincinnati while West Virginia travels to take on Houston.