In a thrilling matchup on Sunday, No. 21 West Virginia secured a 78-70 victory over Colorado, marking the first encounter between the two teams as members of the Big 12 Conference. Javon Small led the Mountaineers with an impressive 26 points, while Joseph Yesufu contributed 18 points, helping West Virginia improve to 12-3 overall and 3-1 in conference play.
Despite facing foul trouble that sidelined two starters, the Mountaineers demonstrated resilience, executing a crucial 13-4 run late in the game. This surge came after Colorado had narrowed the gap to just two points with 5:28 remaining. Yesufu was instrumental during this stretch, scoring eight points and helping to maintain West Virginia’s lead. For Colorado, Julian Hammond III led the scoring with 23 points, while Assane Diop added 13, but the Buffaloes fell to 9-6 overall and 0-4 in the Big 12, marking their fourth consecutive loss.
A key moment in the game occurred when West Virginia, down two starters due to fouls, effectively countered Colorado’s press. This led to a fast break that culminated in Yesufu’s layup and subsequent free throw, extending the Mountaineers’ lead to 71-65 with just 1:23 left on the clock. The game also featured a poignant moment of silence before tip-off to honor former Buffaloes head football coach Bill McCartney, who passed away at the age of 84. As both teams prepare for their next challenges, Colorado will host Cincinnati, while West Virginia travels to Houston on Wednesday.
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