West Virginia Holds Off Utah for Sixth Quad 1 …

West Virginia Holds Off Utah for Sixth Quad 1 …

 

In a pivotal late-season matchup, the West Virginia Mountaineers secured a hard-fought 71–69 victory over the Utah Utes at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on March 4, 2025. This win marked their sixth Quad 1 victory of the season, bolstering their NCAA Tournament resume and keeping their postseason hopes alive.

 

Javon Small Leads the Charge

 

Senior guard Javon Small delivered a standout performance, leading the Mountaineers with 18 points and seven assists. His timely three-pointer with 3:42 remaining gave West Virginia a 61–58 lead, a margin they would not relinquish. Small’s floater in the final minute and clutch free throws sealed the win, highlighting his role as the team’s primary playmaker and scorer .

 

Team Effort in the Second Half

 

The Mountaineers overcame a 12-point first-half deficit, entering halftime with a narrow 30–29 lead. In the second half, they outscored Utah 41–40, with contributions from Amani Hansberry and Joseph Yesufu, who each added 12 points. Jonathan Powell chipped in 10 points, including a crucial three-pointer late in the game to extend the lead .

 

Utah’s Late Surge Falls Short

 

Utah, led by Gabe Madsen’s game-high 23 points, mounted a late comeback, cutting the deficit to one point in the final seconds. However, the Utes’ efforts fell short as Madsen’s half-court attempt at the buzzer was blocked, allowing West Virginia to escape with the win .([West Virginia University Athletics][3], [wvsportsnow.com][5])

 

Significance of the Win

 

This victory was crucial for West Virginia’s NCAA Tournament aspirations, as Quad 1 wins are a key metric for selection. The Mountaineers’ ability to secure a road win against a competitive Utah team enhances their postseason profile. However, despite the strong performance, West Virginia was ultimately left out of the NCAA Tournament field, a decision that sparked debate given their six Quad 1 victories .

 

Looking Ahead

 

With the regular season concluding, the Mountaineers turned their attention to the Big 12 Tournament, aiming to build momentum and make a deep run. The team’s resilience and ability to perform under pressure will be critical as they seek to extend their season and compete for a postseason berth.