During Saturday’s 66-53 victory over BYU in Morgantown, WVU’s JJ Quinerly ascended to 11th place on the Mountaineers’ all-time scoring list. (Photo by Cassidy Roark/The Dominion Post)
MORGANTOWN — A Night of Records for J.J. Quinerly
In an impressive performance, J.J. Quinerly not only climbed to 11th place on West Virginia University’s all-time scoring leaderboard but also secured a program record with her defensive efforts. The 18th-ranked Mountaineers relied heavily on her skills as they battled to a 66-53 win against BYU, captivating an audience of 4,066 fans at the Coliseum.
Defensive Dominance Shines
WVU head coach Mark Kellogg expressed the significance of Quinerly’s contributions, stating, “There were a lot of extra possessions, and we needed them, because we weren’t making a whole lot of shots.” Indeed, the Mountaineers demonstrated a strong defensive stance, forcing 31 turnovers — including 16 steals — and securing 14 offensive rebounds. Despite these efforts, the Cougars consistently remained in the game, trailing 49-44 early into the fourth quarter.
Quinerly’s Key Contributions
Quinerly, who finished with 19 points, now boasts a remarkable career total of 1,607 points. Reflecting on the performance, she commented, “I don’t think we executed very well today. We’ve just got to hit shots. We got a lot of good looks, but we didn’t see the ball go in.” Her intelligence on the court culminated in her fifth steal with just 30 seconds left, setting a new program high for turnovers forced against Big 12 opponents, surpassing the previous record of 30 set in 2018.
Adversities and Triumphs
The Mountaineers capitalized on those turnovers, scoring 33 points off them. They also garnered 21 second-chance points from their offensive rebounds. However, BYU led 30-28 at the halftime break, marking the second occasion this season that WVU trailed at the half. “You’re not going to win with 31 turnovers,” BYU head coach Amber Whiting remarked about her team’s performance, adding, “Granted, seven of them were offensive fouls, which baffled my mind, but West Virginia did its thing.”
Resilience in Adversity
Quinerly faced early challenges, being sidelined for a portion of the first half due to two quick fouls. During her absence, the Mountaineers struggled offensively, shooting only 26% from the field. “In a weird way, we needed that,” coach Kellogg noted about experiencing a halftime deficit for only the second time this year.
Fourth Quarter Surge
As the game progressed towards its exciting conclusion, WVU began to assert dominance. Post players Jordan Thomas and C.C. Riviere each contributed significantly, combining for nine points in the final quarter. Kyah Watson played a pivotal role as well, adding 10 points and securing a critical 3-pointer that provided the Mountaineers with a lead they would not relinquish. “Sometimes I feel like I’m just in the right spot at the right time,” exclaimed Watson about her rebounding strategy.
Looking Ahead
BYU’s leading scorer, freshman Delaney Gibb, faced her own struggles, finishing the game with nine points amidst 12 turnovers. Meanwhile, Emma Calvert delivered a strong performance for the Cougars, achieving a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds. As the Mountaineers continue their season, Quinerly’s scoring prowess and defensive excellence will be vital for their success moving forward.
