West Virginia Triumphs Over Duke After Bench Ejection in Shoving Incident
In a remarkable turn of events, the West Virginia Mountaineers triumphed over the No. 15 Duke Blue Devils with a score of 57–49. This game, held in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, was not just challenging due to the scoreboard but also because of a significant incident involving their entire bench.
Key Incident During the Game
As the halftime buzzer sounded, the Mountaineers were trailing 23–20. However, a shoving match late in the second quarter resulted in a dramatic decision by the referees. They ejected West Virginia’s entire bench for allegedly entering the court during the altercation.
Playing Short-Handed
This ejection forced West Virginia to continue the game with only five active players. Despite this dire situation, the team rallied together in an impressive display of resilience and teamwork.
Outstanding Performances
- Guard Loghan Johnson
- Guard Riley Makalusky
- Forward Célia Rivière
- Guard Sydney Shaw
- Guard Sydney Woodley
Guard Sydney Shaw emerged as the standout player, scoring 16 points. Her contributions were crucial as the Mountaineers dominated the third quarter, outscoring Duke 24-9.
Historical Context
This remarkable feat of playing with limited personnel is not unprecedented in college basketball. In November 2017, Alabama’s team managed a close game against Minnesota while playing three against five for the last ten minutes. Similarly, in February 1988, United Tribes Technical College defeated Dakota College at Bottineau under comparable conditions during the final moments of their match.
Attendance and Future Impact
The game saw an attendance of 1,210 fans, a number likely to grow as the Mountaineers continue to captivate audiences with their spirited play. This win not only showcases their tenacity but also adds a memorable highlight to the season.
Evidence of the Mountaineers’ grit and unwillingness to back down against the odds serves as an inspiration in the world of college basketball. Their upcoming games will surely garner attention as they build off this surprising victory over Duke.
