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West Virginia Mountaineers Overcome Kansas Jayhawks with Second-Half Surge

The West Virginia Mountaineers improved their record to 1-0 after defeating the Kansas Jayhawks, who now stand at 0-1. The final score was 86-75 in favor of WVU, showcasing a strong performance on their home court at Hope Coliseum.


Jan 10, 2026; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Tre White (3) dunks the ball during the first half against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Hope Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images

First Half


In the opening half, both teams displayed competitive spirit. The Jayhawks took an early lead with a score of 43 points, thanks to their efficient shooting and fast break opportunities. The Mountaineers kept pace with 39 points, relying on solid teamwork and effective ball movement. Treysen Eaglestaff contributed significantly for WVU with his scoring prowess.


Second Half


The second half saw the Mountaineers shift gears dramatically. They outscored the Hawks by adding another 47 points to their tally while limiting KU to just 32 points. A pivotal moment came when DJ Thomas made crucial plays that helped swing momentum in favor of WVU. Their defense tightened up as well, allowing fewer easy baskets for the opposition.


Jan 10, 2026; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Kansas Jayhawks forward Flory Bidunga (40) dunks the ball during the first half against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Hope Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images

Key Performances


Harlan Obioha stood out for WVU with his impressive double-double performance, recording 11 points and grabbing 10 rebounds while blocking two shots. Honor Huff also made a significant impact by scoring consistently throughout the game and maintaining high free throw accuracy at over 90 percent.


On the other side, despite Kansas's efforts led by their dynamic offense in fast breaks and paint dominance—scoring a total of 36 points inside—their attempts were thwarted by WVU's resilient defense.


Jan 10, 2026; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Tre White (3) shoots against West Virginia Mountaineers center Harlan Obioha (55) during the first half at Hope Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images

This West Virginia Mountaineers vs Kansas Jayhawks full match report highlights how strategic adjustments during halftime played a crucial role in securing victory for WVU against a ranked opponent like KU.


Looking ahead, fans can catch the next game where West Virginia will face off against Houston Cougars on January 13th at Fertitta Center in Houston at 8:30 PM EDT. The game will be broadcasted live on Fox Sports 1.


For more insights into this exciting matchup or future games involving your favorite teams like WVU or others across college basketball landscape—stay tuned! Share this article if you found it informative!

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