MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — In a season where the Mountaineers continue to give reasons to believe that an NCAA Tournament berth is not just as possibility but rather a probability, WVU’s tournament resume continues to add new lines to impress the selection committee.
After defeating No. 3 Gonzaga in the Bahamas and defeating No. 7 Kansas in Allen Fieldhouse, West Virginia posted yet another compelling victory in a 64-57 triumph over No. 2 Iowa State Saturday in front of a sellout crowd at the Coliseum.
Final: West Virginia 64, No. 2 Iowa State 57. pic.twitter.com/fQNvYZ8M3N
— Joe Brocato (@joebrowvm) January 19, 2025
On a day where basketball legend Jerry West was honored with members of his family in attendance, the Mountaineers authored a performance against one of the nation’s best teams that they believe West may have had an assist in producing.
“To have so many of his family and loved ones here to be a part of this, I think you can only assume he had a little helping hand in this one tonight,” WVU head coach Darian DeVries said.
“We got the win for Jerry,” WVU senior guard Javon Small said. “We threw the classic throwback jerseys on. It was Jerry West Day. Rest in peace to his soul. He was with us today, for sure.”
With the game tied at 49 inside the final three minutes, Small entered takeover mode for the Mountaineers. He scored 12 consecutive points following a Joseph Yesefu basket that gave WVU a 51-49 edge. Small finished the day with a game-high 27 points on 9-of-16 shooting from the floor to go along with seven rebounds and five assists.
“He has just been incredible all year. I think he is the best guard in the country right now. For what we are asking him to do and the way he put that team on his back there late, he made just some big time plays,” DeVries said.
“Since day one, I have always just tried to do whatever I can for my team to win. If it takes me scoring 12 of the last 13 points, then that is what I have to do,” Small said.
Small’s three-pointer with 42 seconds left effectively sealed the game for the Mountaineers, giving them a 59-51 advantage.
“It is a shot I shot multiple times and I have made multiple times. Even though I was out there missing, like you said I started out 1-for-6, I always have confidence in my next shot,” Small said.
Small added a pair of free throws and a breakaway slam following a steal in a span of ten seconds, extending the lead to ten points. After the final 21 seconds came off the clock, fans stormed the floor in celebration for the first time since the Mountaineers defeated Kansas a year ago.
“I told them last week that we are storming this court. I hadn’t been part of a court storming yet. I said that we are doing it,” WVU fifth year center Eduardo Andre said.
“We always go out there and leave it all on the court,” WVU sophomore forward Amani Hansberry said. “To have the fans behind us today, it helped push and motivated us a lot. We always talk about playing with passion. There’s no excuses. We play our heart out every time we get a chance.”
Hansberry scored 9 of his 12 points in the first half, helping WVU to a 25-24 halftime lead. He finished the game with a dozen points while making 4-of-8 shots from behind the arc.
“My shot always feels good,” Hansberry said. “I honestly just shoot with confidence at all times. Whenever I’ve got the opportunity to shoot the ball, my teammates believe in me. The coaching staff believes in me. And the managers believe in me. So I just shoot with confidence.”
“I felt like the last week, you could see a little more bounce in his step,” DeVries said. “Now he has kind of back to where he was at the Bahamas and playing at a high level.”
The game featured ten lead changes. The Mountaineers never trailed inside the final 7:30. WVU took a four-point with lead 6:56 to play when the 6-foot-11, 240-pound Andre drove nearly the length of the floor after a steal for a three-point play that gave WVU a 47-43 edge.
“I am glad he didn’t hear me, because I was telling him to stop. Great play by him. He gets the steal and coast-to-coast just like we drew it up for the and-1,” DeVries said.
“I thought our guys really competed defensively. They were very physical on the ball and trying to get through screens and trying not to give them a lot of space to operate because they are incredibly talented.”
Iowa State (15-2, 5-1 Big 12) saw their 12-game win streak come to an end. Curtis Jones led the Cyclones with 18 points. Keshon Gilbert scored 13 and Joshua Jefferson added 10 for the visitors.
“What a terrific job [DeVries] has done in his first year. And he has done it even with his son Tucker going out. They completely had to readjust their team. Much respect and credit goes to them,” said Iowa State head coach Otzelberger.
“I think the world of Iowa State. They are an incredibly well-coached and a great team. Like I said before the game, I think they are one of the best teams in the country and they have a chance to play on that last day,” DeVries said.
“Overall, I was very proud of our guys and their fight tonight. On a night where both teams couldn’t get a lot going offensively, I thought both teams battled extremely hard,” DeVries said.
Halftime ceremony honoring Jerry West at the WVU Coliseum: pic.twitter.com/rwLRQEuMkz
— Joe Brocato (@joebrowvm) January 18, 2025
During a halftime ceremony where members of Jerry West’s family were introduced, WVU announced that West’s No. 44 will be retired across all sports.
“Through his generosity, advice, time and overall encouragement, Jerry West has always given back to our University and our student-athletes,” WVU Director of Athletics Wren Baker said. “He never sought the recognition, but all our student-athletes have benefited from his love for his home state and University.
“While we lost Jerry in June, his legacy will continue to touch and enhance the lives of our student-athletes through scholarships, our academic center in the Coliseum and his overall vision to compete and represent the West Virginia jersey with pride,” Baker added. “He was proud of his alma mater, and No. 44 will always stand for excellence here at WVU. There will never be another Jerry West.”
West Virginia (13-4, 4-2 Big 12) continues their two-game homestand Tuesday at 9 p.m. against Arizona State.