Shanna Rose | WV Sports Chat
AMES, Iowa — Kierra Wheeler asserted herself early and often Sunday afternoon, powering West Virginia to its highest-ranked win in five years with an 83–70 victory over No. 11 Iowa State at Hilton Coliseum.
The graduate forward controlled the paint from the opening quarter, finishing with a season-high 25 points and seven rebounds as the Mountaineers knocked off a ranked opponent on the road for the first time since 2019. Jordan Harrison followed with one of the most complete performances of her career, totaling 19 points, eight assists, seven steals and five rebounds to help WVU pull away late.
The Mountaineers (14-3, 4-1 Big 12) shot 50.8 percent from the field and leaned heavily on their interior presence, outscoring the Cyclones 44–20 in the paint. WVU also capitalized on 25 Iowa State turnovers, turning them into 30 points.
The Cyclones (14-3, 2-3) opened the game with a strong start, building a seven-point lead midway through the first quarter. The Mountaineers answered with a quick surge, scoring seven straight to even the game late in the period. After Iowa State briefly regained the lead, Harrison buried a buzzer-beating three to give WVU a 25–24 edge after one and reach the 1,500-point mark for her career.
The Cyclones reclaimed control early in the second quarter and maintained a narrow advantage for much of the frame, but the Mountaineers began to wear down Iowa State inside. Wheeler scored repeatedly on the block as WVU closed the half on a run, taking a 40–39 lead into the locker room behind her 16 first-half points.
The Mountaineers seized momentum immediately after halftime, opening the third quarter on a 9–0 run to build their first double-digit lead at 49–39. The Cyclones responded at the free-throw line and trimmed the deficit to four late in the period, but WVU forced multiple turnovers down the stretch and closed the quarter ahead 59–50.
The Mountaineers put the game out of reach early in the fourth. Harrison opened the period with a jumper, and WVU steadily extended its lead through second-chance points and free throws. A three from Shaw midway through the quarter restored a double-digit cushion, and Wheeler’s back-to-back free throws pushed the lead to a game-high 17 with just over five minutes remaining.
Iowa State attempted to rally behind Audi Crooks and a pair of late three-pointers from Sydney Harris, but the Mountaineers answered each push. WVU shot 60 percent in the fourth quarter and controlled the final minutes to secure the 83–70 road win.
Crooks led the Cyclones with 22 points and 10 rebounds, while Harris added 15 points and Reagan Wilson finished with 11.
The Mountaineers will return home for their third straight matchup against a ranked opponent, hosting No. 12 TCU on Wednesday night at Hope Coliseum.
Photo Credit: WVU Athletics
