West Virginia Stuns No. 3 Gonzaga in Battle 4 Atlantis Thriller

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West Virginia Stuns No. 3 Gonzaga in Battle 4 Atlantis Thriller \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ West Virginia pulled off a thrilling 86-78 overtime victory against No. 3 Gonzaga in the Battle 4 Atlantis. Javon Small led with 31 points, including clutch plays in OT, while Tucker DeVries added 16 points and key free throws late in regulation. Despite their depth and strong contributions from Braden Huff and Khalif Battle, Gonzaga fell short, suffering their first loss of the season.

West Virginia vs. Gonzaga Quick Looks

Overtime Thriller: Javon Small’s layup and Sencire Harris’s late-game heroics sealed the win for West Virginia.
Key Performers for WVU: Small scored 31 points, DeVries added 16, and Hansberry delivered a career-high 19.
Gonzaga’s Standouts: Huff led with 19 points, Battle scored 16, and Nembhard added 12 assists.
Key Moments: DeVries forced OT with clutch free throws, and Harris’s steal and dunk secured victory.
Stat Highlights: WVU outrebounded Gonzaga 42-36 and shot 50% in the second half.
What’s Next: West Virginia faces Louisville, while Gonzaga meets No. 14 Indiana in the consolation round.

Deep Look

West Virginia pulled off one of the most significant upsets of the college basketball season, defeating No. 3 Gonzaga 86-78 in overtime during the Battle 4 Atlantis on Wednesday. The victory not only showcased the Mountaineers’ grit and resilience but also highlighted the potential of their new-look roster under first-year coach Darian DeVries.

Javon Small’s Dominant Performance

Javon Small was the undeniable star of the night, delivering a career-best 31 points. Small’s ability to score under pressure shone in overtime, where he contributed five key points. His layup with less than two minutes remaining in the extra period gave West Virginia a critical 79-75 lead.

After Gonzaga failed to convert on their next possession, Small’s teammate Sencire Harris stepped up. Harris sank two free throws to extend the Mountaineers’ lead to six points and then made a game-sealing play with under 30 seconds remaining. Harris intercepted a Gonzaga pass, raced down the court, and punctuated the night with a resounding dunk, giving West Virginia an eight-point cushion and effectively ending Gonzaga’s comeback hopes.

Tucker DeVries Forces Overtime

While Small and Harris stole the show in overtime, Tucker DeVries ensured West Virginia even reached the extra period. With the Mountaineers trailing in the final seconds of regulation, DeVries made a crucial defensive play, poking the ball away from Gonzaga’s Nolan Hickman at midcourt. He then raced down the floor and drew a foul on his layup attempt.

With 5.9 seconds remaining and West Virginia down two, DeVries sank both free throws to tie the game at 71. On the final possession of regulation, Gonzaga’s Khalif Battle drove into the paint but lost control of the ball as time expired, setting the stage for overtime.

Contributions Across the Board

West Virginia’s victory was far from a one-man show. Amani Hansberry scored a career-high 19 points, providing a strong interior presence, while Toby Okani added 10 points. The Mountaineers’ collective effort on the boards proved vital, as they outrebounded the taller Gonzaga squad 42-36.

West Virginia also found their rhythm offensively in the second half, shooting an impressive 50% from the field. Despite being undersized, the Mountaineers battled Gonzaga to a draw in points in the paint, a testament to their physicality and determination.

Gonzaga’s Depth Shows Despite Loss

Gonzaga, previously undefeated, struggled to find consistency in key moments but displayed their depth throughout the game. Braden Huff led the Bulldogs with 19 points, while Khalif Battle added 16. Andrew Nembhard was a standout playmaker, dishing out 12 assists in 43 minutes while committing just one turnover.

However, Gonzaga’s shooting efficiency dipped at critical junctures. Nembhard, for all his contributions, struggled mightily from the field, shooting just 1 of 10. Gonzaga also committed costly turnovers, including the one that led to DeVries’s game-tying free throws late in regulation.

Key Stats and Takeaways

Rebounding Edge: Despite their size disadvantage, WVU dominated the boards 42-36.
Shooting Efficiency: The Mountaineers shot 50% in the second half, matching Gonzaga’s production in the paint.
Bench Production: Gonzaga’s depth was evident, with their bench outscoring West Virginia’s 30-2.
Turnovers: Gonzaga’s mistakes in the final moments of regulation proved costly.

Coaching and Rebuild Progress

The win marked a milestone in Darian DeVries’s early tenure at West Virginia. After suffering a 24-point blowout loss to Pitt earlier this season, the Mountaineers’ resilience against a top-tier opponent like Gonzaga signals that DeVries’s rebuilding project is gaining traction.

Looking Ahead

West Virginia advances to the winner’s bracket, where they will face Louisville on Thursday. The Mountaineers will aim to carry the momentum from this thrilling upset into their next matchup. Gonzaga, now 5-1, moves to the consolation side and will face No. 14 Indiana in a tough bounce-back game.

This loss will serve as a wake-up call for Gonzaga, who entered the game as one of the most dominant teams in the nation. They will need to regroup quickly to avoid another upset as the competition heats up in the Battle 4 Atlantis.