KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In a thrilling encounter at the Big 12 Tournament quarterfinals, JJ Quinerly showcased her skill with a key steal that set up her decisive basket, helping No. 16 West Virginia triumph over No. 20 Kansas State with a score of 73-69 on Friday. Quinerly, who contributed a significant 24 points, intercepted a crucial sideline inbounds lob with just one minute left in the game. Seizing the moment, she maneuvered into the lane to deliver a floater that advanced West Virginia to a 71-69 lead with 44.2 seconds remaining.
In a nail-biting finish, Temira Poindexter’s attempt at a 3-pointer from the right sideline fell short, allowing Sydney Shaw to secure the win with two critical free throws. This victory sets the fourth-seeded Mountaineers on a path to face top-seeded No. 8 TCU in the semifinals scheduled for Saturday.
Jordan Harrison was a standout performer, particularly in the second half, scoring 17 of her 19 points for West Virginia, who now hold a 24-6 record. Support came from Shaw, who added 13 points, and Jordan Thomas, who scored 11. On the Kansas State side, reserve player Kennedy Taylor shone brightly, achieving 21 points with an impeccable 9-of-9 shooting performance. Poindexter managed 16 points, while Serena Sundell contributed 10 points along with nine assists, setting a new single-season record for KS State with 233 assists.
The Wildcats made an impressive start, hitting 13 of 15 shots (87%), including 5 of 6 from beyond the arc, which helped them establish a 33-23 lead early on. However, Quinerly kept West Virginia competitive, scoring 15 points by halftime as the Mountaineers trailed 44-36. In the third quarter, Harrison made her presence felt, scoring 11 points and pushing West Virginia ahead with her basket for a 54-53 lead. Despite this, Poindexter’s last-second long 3-pointer at the end of the quarter allowed Kansas State to enter the fourth with a slight 58-56 advantage.
In the final quarter, Kansas State faced challenges, making just 3 of 11 shots, despite their overall shooting rate of 53% for the game. West Virginia maintained their form, shooting 50%, sealing their progress into the tournament’s next stage.
