West Virginia edges No. 7 Kansas in shocking comeback victory
- West Virginia started strong, building a significant lead early in the game.
- Kansas mounted a comeback, tying the game late in the final moments.
- Javon Small's free throw secured the shocking victory for West Virginia.
In the United States, West Virginia University faced the highly-ranked Kansas Jayhawks in a tightly contested college basketball game on January 2, 2025. West Virginia, battling injuries to key players, started strong, establishing an impressive lead of 38-20 in the first half. However, Kansas fought back, narrowing the gap through a notable 15-2 scoring run in the second half. Despite this fierce comeback, West Virginia managed to maintain composure, only to watch their lead evaporate as the game approached its final moments. With the score tied at 61, Javon Small was fouled with just 1.8 seconds left, allowing him to sink a free throw that ultimately decided the game in favor of West Virginia. The victory was significant for the Mountaineers as it marked their first win at Allen Fieldhouse in 12 attempts against Kansas, a noteworthy achievement considering their previous struggles against the Jayhawks. Kansas, on the other hand, faced a disappointing loss, marking the first defeat in a Big 12 opener since 1991, leaving the team needing to quickly regroup as they faced subsequent challenges in the league.