West Virginia dominates Columbia with a strong performance in NCAA Tournament

In an electrifying game held on March 22, 2025, the West Virginia Mountaineers faced off against the Columbia Lions in the opening round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. West Virginia, the sixth-seeded team, took control early in the game, leading wire-to-wire to secure a commanding 78-59 victory over 11th-seeded Columbia. The game started strongly for West Virginia, who utilized an aggressive full-court press that resulted in 11 turnovers for Columbia in the first quarter alone, illustrating the defensive strategy that proved pivotal for the Mountaineers. JJ Quinerly led the Mountaineers with 27 points, achieving a career milestone on her 2,000th point, while teammate Jordan Harrison contributed a career-high 23 points. The Mountaineers displayed remarkable efficiency, finishing the first quarter with a shooting percentage of 71.4% and maintaining a consistent lead throughout the game. Columbia, although celebrating a historic first tournament win prior, struggled to cope with the physical style of play presented by West Virginia, particularly in the paint where the Mountaineers dominated with a rebounding margin of 48-20. The game’s largest lead reached 22 points, showcasing West Virginia's dominance, and establishing their place in the next round against the winner of No. 3 North Carolina and No. 14 Oregon State, compellingly setting the stage for another challenging matchup. Reflecting on the victory, West Virginia’s coach Mark Kellogg expressed satisfaction with his team's performance, highlighting the key elements that contributed to their success in a high-tension tournament atmosphere.