Colorado upsets West Virginia, crushing NCAA hopes with second-half surge

In the United States, the Big 12 Tournament showcased a remarkable game where No. 16 seed Colorado faced off against No. 8 seed West Virginia in the second round. On Wednesday, March 12, 2025, Colorado achieved a significant victory with a final score of 67-60. Elijah Malone emerged as a key player for Colorado, scoring 12 of his 14 points during a crucial second half that turned the tide for the Buffaloes. RJ Smith also contributed significantly to the team’s performance with 13 points. This win was particularly important as it impacted West Virginia’s at-large NCAA tournament hopes. The Buffaloes had already begun to make history as no No. 16 seed had ever advanced this far in the Big 12 Tournament before. With Colorado on a roll after earlier defeating TCU in the opening round, they were set to face the tournament’s top seed, second-ranked Houston, in the quarterfinals. This victory marked a significant moment for Colorado, not only boosting their morale but also highlighting the implications it had for West Virginia, whose chances in the upcoming NCAA selection were now uncertain. The Mountaineers, who had been leading 46-37 at one point in the second half, experienced a critical collapse, turning the ball over on seven consecutive possessions. This series of errors came at a pivotal moment in the game, allowing Colorado to capitalize and shift momentum in their favor, leading to a 15-0 run. Javon Small led the Mountaineers with 23 points, but ultimately, they were unable to recover from the late-game missteps. Moving forward, the spotlight was now on the Buffaloes and their upcoming matchup against Houston, as they continued their pursuit of a historic run in the tournament.