MORGANTOWN, WV. (LEX 18) — Kentucky Women’s Basketball is the last 5 seed standing after defeating 4 seed West Virginia 74-73 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
The only 5 to stay alive! @Kentuckywbb is feeling sweet after a thrilling 74-73 win over WVU!! pic.twitter.com/MqSoEX3Slr
— Sierra Newton (@SoFlossieWrites) March 23, 2026
Teonni Key led the Wildcats with 19 points and 10 rebounds, her seventh double-double of the season. Clara Strack finished with 18 points, 15 rebounds, and four blocks for her 31st double-double as a Wildcat. Tonie Morgan added 15points, three assists, and two blocks
This battle started point for point until WVU made a four-point play from an early foul, 3-7 in the Mountaineers’ favor. FourKey points and an Amelia Hassett triple later, Kentucky would find control. An 11-0 run while holding West Virginia scoreless would allow Kentucky to end the first quarter on top, 20-15.
Kentucky shot 50% from the field and held WVU to 31%. Key had an early eight, while Hassett had six.
In the second half, West Virginia’s defensive pressure would start to catch up to the Cats. After committing two turnovers in the first, Kentucky would end the second half with seven. Kentucky's largest lead was 11 in the second quarter, 28-17, but West Virginia fought from behind to tie it at 36 at the break.
After having two fouls and sitting most of the first half, Asia Boone would open the second with a 3-point basket. WVU wouldn't score until four minutes ticked off the clock.
A 12-point lead to end the third, 62 to 50.
WVU's Shaw would hit two triples at the beginning of the final quarter in the Mountaineers journey to cut the lead to four. But a Morgan jumper and a Strack lay-in would extend the lead back.
Kentucky would outlast and upset the Mountaineers in front of 12,830 fans in Hope Coliseum.
Kentucky now goes on to play the No.1 seed in Regional 3 in Fort Worth, Texas, the Texas Longhorns.
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