West Virginia Rallies for Thrilling Overtime Victory Over Stanford in College Basketball Crown
The West Virginia Mountaineers secured a hard-fought opening round win in the College Basketball Crown, overcoming a late deficit to defeat the Stanford Cardinal in a thrilling overtime contest on Thursday night. In a game defined by momentum swings, West Virginia (19-14) demonstrated resilience by shutting down Stanford’s offense in the closing minutes of regulation to force the extra period.
A Balanced First Half and the DJ Thomas Highlight
West Virginia entered the game with a balanced offensive attack, with all eight players who saw action in the first half contributing to the scoreboard. After a sluggish start from beyond the arc—beginning the game 0-7 from three-point range—Treysen Eaglestaff sparked the offense by burying three consecutive triples.
The Mountaineers maintained their momentum, hitting seven straight field goals to seize control of the game. Brenen Lorient continued his consistent season, recording 14 total points after narrowly missing double digits in the first half. However, the defining moment of the half came from freshman DJ Thomas, who executed a pump fake at the top of the key before driving the lane for an emphatic tomahawk slam dunk. The play capped a strong half for West Virginia, sending them into the locker room with a 35-29 lead.
Late Game Drama and the Defensive Stand
The second half saw a shift in momentum as the Stanford Cardinal (20-13) fought back. With 4:03 remaining in regulation, Stanford held an eight-point lead, shooting 53.8% from the field. West Virginia struggled offensively down the stretch, going over five minutes without a field goal.
The game turned when West Virginia’s defense tightened. The Mountaineers held Stanford without a field goal in the final minutes, capitalizing on four consecutive missed shots by the Cardinal. This defensive surge allowed West Virginia to close the gap and force overtime.
Closing it Out in Overtime
In the overtime period, West Virginia leaned on key plays to secure the win. Honor Huff played a pivotal role in closing out the game, even as Ebuka Okorie contributed a significant steal and alley-oop finish to help seal the victory. Following the loss, Stanford Head Coach Kyle Smith addressed the team’s inability to maintain their lead in the final stages of the game.
Key Game Takeaways
- Freshman Impact: DJ Thomas is showing increased aggression toward the rim, highlighted by his slam dunk to end the first half.
- Defensive Resilience: West Virginia forced overtime by holding Stanford scoreless from the field during the final minutes of regulation.
- Consistent Scoring: Brenen Lorient extended his streak of strong performances, finishing the game with 14 points.
- Clutch Shooting: Treysen Eaglestaff provided the necessary spark early in the game to overcome a cold start from three-point range.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the halftime score of the West Virginia vs. Stanford game?
West Virginia led Stanford 35-29 at halftime.
Who was the standout freshman for West Virginia?
Freshman DJ Thomas provided a highlight-reel tomahawk dunk to end the first half and is becoming a more aggressive presence in the paint.
How did West Virginia force overtime?
Trailing by eight points with just over three minutes left, the Mountaineers held Stanford without a field goal down the stretch to tie the game.
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