West Virginia

Five Thoughts on Oklahoma State’s 70-66 Victory against West Virginia

Published

2 years ago

January 27, 2024

Press Room

Five Thoughts on Oklahoma State’s 70-66 Victory against West Virginia

BOX SCORE
GAME STORY
PHOTO GALLERY

STILLWATER — The Cowboys won’t go winless through a conference season.

Oklahoma State beat West Virginia 70-66 on Saturday in Gallagher-Iba Arena to secure the Pokes’ first league win. Here are five thoughts from a great game.

1. Victory

At long last, the Cowboys have won a Big 12 game.

There were plenty of spots where this game looked as if it was going to take a turn for the worse for OSU like all of the others, but the Cowboys just kept coming back.

West Virginia went on a 9-0 run midway through the second half to take a 50-46 lead. Recent games might’ve suggested that was the beginning of the end for the Cowboys, but they fought back with a run to tie it at 50.

Then Kerr Kriisa (who was Lubbock Lindy levels of on fire) hit back-to-back 3s to give the Mountaineers a six-point lead with about seven minutes to play. But the Cowboys again responded. The battle continued into clutch time, which we’ll get to, but every time the Cowboys got popped, they fired a return shot.

The team is still 1-6 in the Big 12, so I’m not going to make too big a deal about anything. But I will say it says a lot about the group that the Cowboys just keep fighting despite this season seeming doomed for outsiders since the Cowboys lost to Abilene Christian to start the year.

“It sure feels good to win,” OSU coach Mike Boynton said. “But the thing I’m most proud of, or really two things: one of the kids, who just keep showing up. The thing that I tell them is it’s hard to beat somebody who keeps showing up. It really is because the mindset is that at some point, the other person is not gonna show up. I’m proud of our kids for continuing to do the things that we’ve asked them to do even though they haven’t seen what they saw today, the fruits of that labor in a way that everybody can recognize as being a win.”

2. Brandon Garrison Is a Dawg

Only a freshman, Brandon Garrison did it all to lead his team to its first Big 12 win.

Garrison had 20 points, five rebounds, four assists, four steals and a block against West Virginia.

Even more impressive, the 6-foot-10 center with long arms went 8-for-10 from the foul line, including going 4-for-4 from the stripe in the final 1:30 of the game. He went to the line with 1:27 to play down 64-62 and got them both to tie it up. Then he returned to the stripe with 27 seconds to play with a 67-66 lead and hit two more to force the Mountaineers into a 3-point attempt on their ensuing possession, which they airballed.

He was also a team-best plus-nine in plus/minus, meaning the Cowboys were nine points better than the Mountaineers with Garrison on the floor.

Garrison has spent the past few games in foul trouble, playing only 11 minutes against TCU and 16 minutes against Kansas State. It was particularly paramount Saturday that he stayed out of foul trouble, as the Pokes were without Mike Marsh because of illness. So that left Garrison as the only true center on the roster. He didn’t have a single foul in his 35 minutes on the floor.

3. Working Inside Out

Garrison’s stat line already suggests the Cowboys worked the ball inside more, but it was evident even when plays weren’t starting with a Garrison low-post touch.

The Cowboys made it a point to get paint touches, and for the first time in Big 12 play, OSU outscored its opponent in the paint. The Pokes had 26 paint points to West Virginia’s 22.

The offense seemed at its best Saturday when Garrison would get the ball in the low post and could hit a slasher, rip a cross-court pass for an open 3 or just take it to whichever Mountaineer was guarding him. But the Cowboys also had success driving the baseline. That forced WVU to help off and OSU caught the Mountaineers in rotation quite a few times.

Even when those paint touches resulted in 3-point shots, it just felt more likely those shots were going to go in as opposed to 3-point attempts that stayed on the perimeter all possession.

4. Scoring in the Clutch

The final five minutes of games have been like the boogeyman for OSU basketball as of late, but not Saturday.

In their past two games, OSU was just a combined 1-for-10 from the field in the final five minutes. Their opponents (Kansas State and TCU), meanwhile, were 7-for-10 from the field. Well, Saturday, OSU was 3-for-6 (50%) from the field while holding WVU to 1-for-9 (11%). OSU also forced its way to the foul line eight times in the final five minutes and made seven of those shots.

OSU’s three made field goals in that stretch were all from 3. The first was John-Michael Wright hitting a triple off an Eric Dailey Jr. offensive rebound. Wright’s bucket cut WVU’s lead to 61-59 with 4:04 to play.

Then after the Mountaineers missed a 3, Garrison ripped down a board and pushed to up to Dailey, who threw a cross-court pass to Thompson on a fast break. Thompson didn’t have his best offensive outing and was 1-for-8 from the field when he caught Dailey’s pass, but confident as ever, Thompson pulled of from the corner and splashed down a 3 to give OSU a 62-61 lead with 3:24 to play.

After a bit of back and forth, the Cowboys were down 66-64 with a minute to play when Javon Small hit probably the toughest 3 of the bunch to give the Cowboys a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

“Today we kinda got over the hurdle,” Boynton said. “We can’t assume that it’s automatic now. The only thing that is automatic is age. I tell them all the time age is automatic, but growth is intentional. We have to grow from this the same way we grew from the last few losses.”

5. Mike Boynton Wins His Most Important Game of the Year

Earlier this week, Boynton called the Remember the Ten game the most important of the season because of its real-life impact on those involved.

He said even in the Cade Cunningham season, where OSU played in the conference tournament final and in the NCAA Tournament, that the Cowboys’ Remember the Ten win against Oklahoma was the most important.

Well, Boynton is now 6-1 in Remember the Ten games after Saturday’s win. His only loss in the game was to No. 3 Kansas in 2020. Other than that, he has beaten OU twice during R10 day, including the No. 4, Trae Young-led Sooners in 2018. Boynton’s Cowboys also beat South Carolina, Arkansas and Ole Miss — all part of the now-defunct Big 12-SEC Challenge.

“What I focused on was A, making sure our guys knew what this was about,” Boynton said. “And then making sure that we were also prepared to play against somebody today.

“… I tried to really focus on making sure that we didn’t get so wrapped up in the emotion of the game that we also didn’t prepare well. So there was a balance in doing both of those things.”

The Cowboys haven’t won enough during Boynton’s tenure, I’m not here to argue that. But, the man is a wizard in important games. He’s 6-1 in Remember the Ten games and 9-5 against the Sooners.

Bonus Thought: Javon Small Was V. Good

Even outside of his go-ahead 3 with less than a minute to play, Javon Small had him self a day.

A transfer point guard from East Carolina, Small had a 15-point, 12-rebound double-double, and he flirted with a triple double with his seven assists. It has to feel extra vindicating for Small because he missed a couple of shots late in OSU’s close losses, but Saturday, he was nails.

His feel for the game is so good — when to speed up, when to slow down. He knows how it will affect a defense if he takes a hard step or two one way. At 6-foot-3, he is also an incredible rebounder. He is good at anticipating where a miss is going to bounce off to. He had four rebounds in the final five minutes when his team needed them. Just winning play after winning play.

Mike Boynton’s Postgame News Conference

Source link

West Virginia

West Virginia Lottery results: See winning numbers for Daily 3, Daily 4 on Feb. 26, 2026

Published

3 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

The results are in for the West Virginia Lottery’s draw games on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026.

Here’s a look at winning numbers for each game on Feb. 26.

Winning Daily 3 numbers from Feb. 26 drawing

1-1-7

Check Daily 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Daily 4 numbers from Feb. 26 drawing

3-8-8-2

Check Daily 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 25 numbers from Feb. 26 drawing

02-03-09-11-13-19

Check Cash 25 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the West Virginia Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 11 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10:59 p.m. ET Tuesday and Friday.
Lotto America: 10:15 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Daily 3, 4: 6:59 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday.
Cash 25: 6:59 p.m. ET Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a USA Today editor. You can send feedback using this form.

Source link

West Virginia

WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s gala raises $2 million for West Virginia’s kids and families

Published

15 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s gala raises million for West Virginia’s kids and families

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s raised more than $2 million at its annual gala, an event dedicated to expanding care for children and expectant mothers in West Virginia and the surrounding region.

Approximately 1,300 guests enjoyed the “Celestial” themed event on Saturday (Feb. 21) as they helped little stars shine bright at the Morgantown Marriott at Waterfront Place.

Donations from the community will go toward the greatest needs of WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s, helping to ensure all families in need receive world-class care in a compassionate environment when they need it.

“Our community continues to show up in extraordinary ways for our patients and families,” Amy L. Bush, B.S.N., M.B.A., R.N., C.N.O.R., chief administrative officer for WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s, said. “The generosity we witnessed at this year’s gala ensures we can continue growing our programs and enhancing the care we provide. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who believes in our mission.”

Engineer, TV host, and 100th woman to fly to space, Emily Calandrelli, served as emcee for the evening. The West Virginia University alumna is passionate about space exploration and inspiring children to pursue STEM careers.

Calandrelli spent time visiting patients at WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s before the gala.

“As a Morgantown native who is passionate about science and children, I’m thrilled to play a small part in this beautiful evening that raises crucial funds for the lifesaving work WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s Hospital is doing right here in my hometown,” she said.

“The amazing doctors, nurses, and staff aren’t just healing sick kids, they are inspiring the next generation of curious explorers and adventurers who are one day going to change the world.”

Entertainment was provided by Party on the Moon, whose high-energy performance capped off the night’s festivities.

A highlight of the celebration was the recognition of inspiring patients and dedicated teams who care for kids across the state.

Carter Casey from Sod in Lincoln County was introduced as the 2026 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals® Champion Child for West Virginia. He received care at WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals in Charleston and WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s for life-threatening injuries after a go-kart accident.

Pavithra Ellison, M.D., M.M.M., F.A.S.A., associate chief quality officer and vice chair of anesthesiology, was presented with the WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s Hospital Award for her leadership, service, and lasting impact on pediatric healthcare.

The Community Service Award was presented to Little General, Inc. The company’s generosity has provided vital support to the children and families who turn to WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s for care. The Little General team across the state is committed to creating a better future for West Virginia’s families.

More than 80 sponsors contributed to the gala’s success. Leading sponsors included Iron Senergy, Dr. Christopher and Beth Mascio, Hope Gas, Infinity Electric & Service Co., CJL Engineering, HED Design, Morgantown Marriott at Waterfront Place, Trilogy Innovations, Mark Carter and Amy Wildasin, PJ Dick, Triple H Enterprises, Panhandle Cleaning & Restoration, Prolacta Bioscience, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Daniel’s Men’s Store, and StudioKat Photography.

David A. Rosen, M.D., Michelle Rosen, and the Rosen Family Foundation served as presenting sponsors and helped spearhead fundraising efforts. Dr. Rosen, a pediatric anesthesiologist at WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s and professor and vice chair of research in the WVU School of Medicine Department of Anesthesiology, emphasized the importance of continued investment in pediatric care.

“I am proud to continue my support of the WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s gala. This commitment is deeply personal — not only as a pediatric cardiac anesthesiologist who has had the privilege of serving WVU Medicine for more than 30 years, but also as someone who was personally affected by polio as a child,” Dr. Rosen said.

“That early experience shaped my lifelong appreciation for the critical role compassionate, specialized pediatric care plays in changing lives. Supporting WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s Hospital reflects both my professional dedication and my personal mission to advancing exceptional care for children with complex medical needs and supporting the families who rely on it.”

All gala contributions were made through the WVU Foundation, the nonprofit organization that receives and administers private donations on behalf of the University and its affiliated entities. Visit Childrens.WVUMedicine.org/Giving to make a gift to WVU Medicine Children’s.

For more information on WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s, visit WVUKids.com.

Source link

West Virginia

Instant Takeaways from WVU’s Second Half Thrashing of UCF

Published

1 day ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

Instant Takeaways from WVU’s Second Half Thrashing of UCF

The Mountaineers earned their second win over the UFF Knights by a score of 74-62 on Wednesday night in Orlando at Addition Financial Arena. The Mountaineers went into the half trailing, but battled back for a comfortable win.

Here are some instant takeaways from West Virginia women’s hoops’ 23rd win of the season.

West Virginia Proves They Can Overcome Slow Starts

It was a very slow first half for the Mountaineers. West Virginia trailed 27-25 at halftime, but came out in the third quarter firing on all cylinders. Within the first minute of the third quarter, the Mountaineers had regained the lead off of a Gia Cooke layup and a tough finish inside by Carter McCray.

West Virginia went on to have a 31-9 run in the third quarter, leading by as many as 21 to propel them to victory. The way that the Mountaineers were able to regroup and go on a run in the second half shows that this team is built to win in many ways. They have depth at guard in particular that can keep them in the game against almost any team in the nation.

The Mountaineers Have Depth Everywhere

When the Mountaineers came out of the second half, it ended up being guards Gia Cooke and Jordan Harrison who led the way, scoring the ball. Harrison, who scored 16 points against UCF, in particular, has displayed through her three seasons at West Virginia that she fits perfectly into head coach Mark Kellogg’s defensive style of basketball. Harrison has also been molded into a solid offensive player. Cooke leads the team in points per game and leads the team with 19 points tonight. When the Mountaineers need a bucket, they can count on the experience of Cooke and Harrison down the stretch.

Meme Wheeler and Carter McCray had nearly identical stat lines that included 12 points and 7 rebounds each. Having Wheeler and McCray capable of rebounding with just about anybody in the Big 12 is part of what West Virginia has been missing during Kellogg’s tenure. This truly does feel like the most complete team of the Kellogg era thus far.

The win moves West Virginia to 14-4 in Big 12 play and 24-6 overall. The Mountaineers sit behind only TCU in the Big 12, with Baylor a game back and WVU owning the head-to-head victory over the Bears. Kellogg and his crew will finish their 2025-26 regular season campaign on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Hope Coliseum. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ with tipoff scheduled for 1 p.m.

Source link