The West Virginia Mountaineers’ Big 12 Championship dreams came to a halt Friday night, falling to the Arizona Wildcats in a hard-fought semifinal showdown. In a game filled with intensity and momentum swings, the Mountaineers couldn’t find the finishing touch, ultimately losing 75-68 at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City.
From the opening tip, Arizona came out with a purpose, establishing an early lead behind a balanced offensive attack and stifling defense. West Virginia, known for its grit and aggressive style, clawed its way back into the game late in the first half, trailing just 36-34 at the break.
The second half saw both teams trading baskets in a tightly contested battle, with the Mountaineers briefly taking a 52-50 lead midway through the half. However, Arizona responded with a 10-2 run, fueled by sharp perimeter shooting and second-chance points that shifted momentum firmly back in their favor.
West Virginia struggled to find rhythm down the stretch, with turnovers and missed opportunities in key moments proving costly. Despite a valiant effort from senior guard Jalen Bridges, who finished with 21 points and 7 rebounds, the Mountaineers couldn’t keep pace with Arizona’s closing surge.
“It’s a tough pill to swallow,” said West Virginia head coach Josh Eilert postgame. “We played with heart, but they made the plays when it mattered most. Credit to Arizona—they’re a tough team.”
The loss ends West Virginia’s run in the Big 12 tournament and places their NCAA tournament hopes in the hands of the selection committee. At 19-13 overall, the Mountaineers sit on the bubble, hoping their strength of schedule and quality wins will be enough to earn an at-large bid