West Virginia Coach Ross Hodge Reflects on Pivotal Upset Victory Over No. 19 BYU

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West Virginia Coach Ross Hodge Reflects on Pivotal Upset Victory Over No. 19 BYU

In a contest that could significantly shape their postseason aspirations, the West Virginia Mountaineers delivered a much-needed upset, defeating the No. 19 Brigham Young Cougars 75-67. The victory came at a critical juncture for the Mountaineers, who had stumbled through a three-game losing streak and had won only two of their last seven outings, casting a shadow over their NCAA Tournament hopes.

Head Coach Ross Hodge, in his first year at the helm of the program, emphasized the mental fortitude and collective effort that underpinned this crucial win. "I told the guys in the locker room that I really felt like today was a byproduct of the previous 72 hours, and just their ability to stay the course, stay together, handle disappointment in the same manner that they handle success, be the same guys, put the same work in, learn from it, not run from it, not point fingers, not blame and getting that 72 hours onto the floor today," Hodge shared with reporters following the game.

A dominant performance on the boards proved to be the decisive factor in West Virginia's triumph. The Mountaineers outrebounded BYU by a commanding 39-29 margin. Crucially, they secured 18 offensive rebounds, translating into 15 second-chance points. These extra possessions and scoring opportunities were invaluable in a game ultimately decided by eight points.

Hodge also highlighted the team's offensive execution, particularly their ability to attack the rim. "I thought we were able to drive the ball and get shots up on the rim," he said. He specifically praised the active play of Brenen Lorient, Harlan Obioha, and Chance Moore, noting their "level of urgency once the shot went up and led to some big baskets." Their contributions were instrumental in maintaining offensive momentum and capitalizing on opportunities.

The Cougars, who had trailed by as many as 14 points at halftime, mounted a significant comeback in the second half, narrowing the deficit to a precarious three points in the closing minutes. However, West Virginia demonstrated a resilience that has been a hallmark of their recent struggles, refusing to fold under pressure. They weathered the storm and made the necessary plays down the stretch to secure the victory.

"They made their run, which we figured they would," Hodge acknowledged, drawing parallels to BYU's season. "If you kind of followed them this year, they, similarly to us, have dug themselves some big holes and then had the ability to dig themselves out of those holes." He continued to praise his team's cohesion: "This group stays together about as good as any team I’ve been around and made the plays down the stretch. Then obviously, the rebounding differential was probably the separator in the game."

With this pivotal win, West Virginia improves its Big 12 Conference record to 8-8 and its overall season standing to 17-12. Beyond the statistical improvement, the victory over a ranked BYU squad represents arguably the highest point of the Ross Hodge era in Morgantown thus far.

Hodge concluded by reflecting on the atmosphere and the significance of playing in front of their home crowd at the Coliseum. "Obviously, Hope Coliseum was special," he stated. "It’s what makes this place special. Obviously, we lost a couple of tough ones. Again, people were hanging in there with us. It was a special environment." This win not only boosts the team's tournament chances but also validates the hard work and perseverance displayed throughout a challenging period.

Ekhbary News Agency