Mountaineers Stun No. 15 Duke with 57-49 Victory Amid Player Shortage

In a striking upset, the West Virginia women’s basketball team defeated the 15th-ranked Duke Blue Devils 57-49 at the Skechers Greenbrier Tip-Off. This victory came under unusual circumstances, as the Mountaineers had to compete with only five players in the second half after an altercation led to multiple ejections.

Event Details and Key Players

The confrontation occurred just before halftime when a blocked shot attempt by WVU’s Jordan Harrison led to a physical exchange with Duke’s Jordan Wood. Both players received flagrant 2 fouls and were ejected from the game. Consequently, five additional Mountaineer players were dismissed for leaving the bench, leaving West Virginia coach Mark Kellogg with only five players available for the remainder of the match.

• Final Score: West Virginia 57, Duke 49
• Date: November 15, 2025
• Location: Skechers Greenbrier Tip-Off
• Key Players:
  • Sydney Shaw (WVU) – 16 points
  • Celia Riviere (WVU) – 12 points
  • Gia Cooke (WVU) – 12 points before ejection
  • Taina Mair (Duke) – 10 points

Second Half Comeback

As the second half began, the Mountaineers trailed by three points. Within 12 seconds, they regained the lead, outscoring Duke 37-26 after halftime. Shaw emerged as a standout performer, scoring all her points in the second half. Her performance, alongside Riviere’s contributions, proved pivotal in turning the game around.

During this significant comeback, West Virginia capitalized on Duke’s 23 turnovers. They shifted strategies, moving players into various positions, which allowed for successful plays despite limited personnel. Kellogg praised his team’s resilience, stating that they played “with great competitive spirit.”

Game Statistics

This victory improved West Virginia’s season record to 4-0 while dropping Duke to 2-2. The Mountaineers demonstrated grit and determination despite their short roster, leaving a lasting impression in their matchup against a ranked opponent.