West Virginia defeated No. 3 Gonzaga 86-78 in overtime at the Battle 4 Atlantis, ending the Mountaineers’ 10-game road losing streak in dramatic fashion.

Javon Small led the West Virginia team with a career-high 31 points, including free throws in overtime, as well as seven rebounds and two assists. Tucker DeVries scored 16 points while Amani Hansberry scored 19 points and eight points.

Keyword. COUNTRY. STREETS!!!#Battle4Atlantis | #HailWV pic.twitter.com/rnWz8EMhd6

— WVU Men’s Basketball (@WVUhoops) November 27, 2024

Gonzaga built an eight-point lead at halftime, behind Khalif Battle’s 14 points in the first half, but struggled to close out the game. Ryan Nembhard’s 12 assists helped keep the Bulldogs afloat, while Braden Huff added 19 points off the bench. However, Gonzaga’s shooting woes in overtime – just 20% from the field – proved costly.

The Mountaineers fought back in the second half, fueled by a 17-2 scoring outburst and Small’s late-game heroics, including a crucial three-pointer in the final minute. Gonzaga’s Khalif Battle missed a contested layup at the end of regulation, sending the game into overtime tied at 71. In overtime, West Virginia took advantage of Gonzaga’s turnovers and controlled the boards, outscoring the Bulldogs 42-36 overall.

The win sends West Virginia to the semifinals against Louisville, which upset No. 14 Indiana on Wednesday, while Gonzaga faces the Hoosiers in the consolation bracket. This decisive win marks a turning point for the Mountaineers under new coach Darian DeVries as Gonzaga must regroup after its first loss of the season.