West Virginia women’s basketball player Asya Bussie is named BIG EAST Player of the Week after paving the way to a 65-63 come-from-behind win over No. 2/2 Notre Dame with a career-best 22 points, Sunday.
Bussie becomes the first Mountaineer to earn the weekly honor since Sarah Miles did so on Feb. 9, 2009 after WVU upset No. 5 Louisville 79-70 on the road, the previously highest-ranked road opponent the Mountaineers defeated.
Thirteen of Bussie’s point total came in the second half. The junior center sunk 10-of-13 free throws, shot 66.7 percent (6-of-9) from the field, put up three blocked shots and grabbed three steals.
The Randallstown, Md., native also helped the Mountaineers to a 41-33 rebounding advantage over the Fighting Irish as she led the way with eight boards. Her eighth rebound of the game was one she put back up for a 63-63 tie game with only 39 seconds remaining.
The upset over Notre Dame is the second consecutive upset over a top-15 team for the Mountaineers as WVU defeated No. 14/12 Louisville at home last week. The win is the largest upset in program history and the first-ever for the Mountaineers at the Purcell Pavilion.
WVU is now riding a four-game win streak, its longest in BIG EAST play this season. It will play host to No. 21/16 Rutgers on Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. at the WVU Coliseum.