WVU’s J.J. Quinerly drives past Utah’s (21) Maye Toure – Photo by Ron Rittenhouse
Morgantown — A Stellar Performance
With four years of commitment, three different head coaches, 121 games under her belt, and 1,906 points to date, J.J. Quinerly’s impact on West Virginia University (WVU) goes beyond statistics.
A Legacy Beyond Numbers
In the realm of sports, legends are often remembered for their impressive stats—think of Babe Ruth’s 714 home runs, Michael Jordan’s six NBA championships, or Tom Brady’s seven Super Bowl victories. Yet, few female basketball players at WVU have achieved the kind of remarkable scoring that J.J. Quinerly has, and her story transcends mere numbers.
Community Connection
“I definitely felt like I became a face within the community,” Quinerly remarked after a school-record-tying performance of 38 points in the Mountaineers’ 75-46 victory over Utah inside the Coliseum. “I’ll go to Kroger to get my groceries and people may notice me.”
“I love it. I know this town will have my back no matter what. If I ever come back and need some help with something or need a job, I know somebody will have my back. That loyalty is why I stayed.”
Record-Breaking Night
If this game turns out to be Quinerly’s last in the Coliseum, she made it unforgettable. With her 38 points, she tied the record for most points scored in a single game by a WVU player, matching legends Christie Lambert and Meg Bulger. Her shooting was stellar, finishing 16 of 21 from the field, including 4 of 5 from beyond the arc.
Quinerly started the game in early foul trouble and had only two points at the end of the first quarter. Remarkably, she surged to 29 points by the third quarter’s end.
“That was easy from a coaching standpoint,” WVU head coach Mark Kellogg stated. “Just get the ball to No. 11 and get the hell out of the way and let her do her thing.”
Future Possibilities
It’s still uncertain if this was truly Quinerly’s final game in Morgantown as the Mountaineers (22-6, 12-5 Big 12) still have a chance to secure a regional hosting spot in the NCAA tournament, potentially leading to two more games at home next month.
The victory over Utah (21-7, 12-5) marked WVU’s third Quad 1 win of the season and extended their home winning streak to 17 games, with the Mountaineers currently ranked 13th in the NCAA’s NET rankings.
“There is probably an outside chance,” Kellogg noted. “We need to win a lot of games in the conference tournament. I don’t know if that means winning the whole thing; I have no idea. We just need to continue to stack wins. We definitely need to boost our resume.”
Entertainment on the Court
Quinerly’s performance was a spectacle of her signature drives to the basket, stealing the ball from an opposing guard, making three-pointers, and executing mid-range jumpers.
“It was the single best performance I’ve ever been a part of as a coach,” Kellogg expressed, highlighting Quinerly’s peak performance among many impressive contributions throughout her career.
Connecting with Fans
One remarkable statistic that encapsulates Quinerly’s influence at WVU is the average attendance of 4,147 fans at the team’s 16 home games during her senior year—a record that surpassed the previous year’s average by 1,286 fans per game.
Quinerly didn’t just become a recognized figure; she became a beacon of excitement for women’s basketball in Morgantown.
“My freshman year, there wasn’t as big of a fan base at the games,” Quinerly recalled. “Fans started coming my sophomore year. When Kellogg came, and then after that Iowa game (in the 2024 NCAA tournament), it was like a boatload of fans started coming. We definitely feed off it and play our hearts out when they start yelling.”
High-Scoring Showdown
WVU’s defense was impressive, limiting Utah to only five points in the first quarter. As Quinerly heated up in the second quarter, the Mountaineers’ lead continually increased.
Quinerly reached the 30-point milestone just 30 seconds into the final quarter and hit a three-pointer to elevate her score to 34, breaking her previous career high. “I was just letting it fly,” she admitted, unaware of her point total.
After achieving a cross-over dribble that led to a foul-line jumper, she reached 36 points but had to leave the game due to cramping. Thankfully, she returned before the game ended to tie the record with a fastbreak lay-up.
“Yeah, I took myself out,” Quinerly said, reflecting on her decision.
Looking Ahead
The Mountaineers are preparing to finish the regular season against Cincinnati before entering the Big 12 tournament. What remains to be seen is what Quinerly will bring to the next challenge.
“I’m really proud of this kid over here,” said Kellogg, glancing at Quinerly. “For her last game, to go down like it did, that’s special stuff. She’s a special kid and a special player.”
