In a stunning turn of events, the West Virginia women’s basketball team achieved a remarkable upset by defeating the No. 15-ranked Duke Blue Devils 57-49 on November 15, 2025. The match took place at Colonial Hall at The Greenbrier in West Virginia.
Unprecedented Circumstances for West Virginia
What made this victory even more significant was that West Virginia entered the game unranked. Complications escalated when the team lost six players due to ejections stemming from a melee just before halftime. This left the Mountaineers to compete in the second half with only five available players.
The Heated Altercation
The incident began in the closing seconds of the second quarter. Duke’s Jordan Wood blocked a three-point attempt by West Virginia guard Jordan Harrison and subsequently taunted Harrison. In response, Harrison pushed Wood, triggering an on-court brawl.
- Ejections: Seven players were ejected by halftime.
- Fighting Ejections: Jordan Harrison and Jordan Wood were expelled for fighting.
- Bench Violations: Five West Virginia players—Gia Cooke, Carter McCray, Madison Parrish, Jordan Thomas, and Kierra Wheeler—were ejected for leaving the bench.
- Flagrant Fouls: Duke’s Ashlon Jackson and Arianna Roberson received flagrant 1 fouls.
As the second half commenced, West Virginia was down 23-20. With no substitutions allowed and only an inspired five-player lineup, their potential for victory appeared slim.
Second Half Dominance
Among the remaining players, only Sydney Shaw had a starting role in the game. Team members Loghan Johnson, Riley Makalusky, Célia Rivière, and Sydney Woodley joined her to face Duke. The Mountaineers demonstrated tenacity in the second half, outscoring the Blue Devils 24-9 in the third quarter.
Senior forward Célia Rivière emerged as a key player, racking up 12 points, seven rebounds, and three assists, all during the second half. Shaw also made a significant impact, contributing 16 points and sinking five clutch free throws late in the game.
Coach and Player Reactions
West Virginia coach Mark Kellogg expressed his astonishment at the team’s performance. He noted the need for a quick game plan adjustment due to the unusual circumstances.
“We moved some positions, we played a lot of zone,” Kellogg explained after the game.
Rivière echoed this sentiment, stating, “I was really proud of the team, of the coaches, the players — I was really happy to win the game.”
Game Impact and Stats
The win improved West Virginia’s record to 4-0, while Duke fell to 2-2, reflecting their struggles this season after starting ranked at No. 7. The Blue Devils faced difficulty on the court, shooting only 38 percent overall, and a dismal 17 percent from three-point range. From the free-throw line, Duke managed a mere 45 percent.
This game not only highlights West Virginia’s resilience but also emphasizes the competitive nature of college basketball this season, especially with the upsets that shake the rankings.
