No. 5 Kentucky survives No. 4 West Virginia in Morgantown; advances to first Sweet 16 since 2016 first
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) – The 5-seed Kentucky Wildcats defeated the 4-seed West Virginia Mountaineers, 74-73, in the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Round of 32.
Kentucky led for most of the first half, building an 11-point advantage at 28-17. However, West Virginia responded with a 19-8 run to close the half.
The game went into halftime tied at 36.
Kentucky regained control to open the second half, jumping out to a 7–0 run. The Wildcats outscored the Mountaineers 26–14 in the third quarter and led 62–50 entering the fourth.
West Virginia opened the fourth quarter with a 10-2 run to cut the deficit to 64-60. Kentucky answered with a quick 4-0 spurt to push its lead back to eight at 68–60 midway through the quarter.
The Mountaineers rallied again, trimming the lead to 74–73 with seven seconds remaining. West Virginia had a chance to win at the buzzer, but a shot by Cooke bounced off the rim, allowing Kentucky to escape with a one-point victory.
Teonni Key led the Wildcats with 19 points and added 10 rebounds for a double-double.
Clara Strack recorded another double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds, while also tallying four blocks.
Tonie Morgan also scored in double figures with 15 points and hit what proved to be the game-winning jumper in the final minute.
Gia Cooke and Sydney Shaw led West Virginia with a game-high 23 points each.
With the win, Kentucky advances to its first Sweet 16 since 2016.
The Wildcats will face No. 1 seed and SEC champion Texas in the Sweet 16 of Regional 3.
Kentucky and Texas will meet Saturday in Fort Worth, Texas, at Dickies Arena. Game time has yet to be announced.
