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West Virginia Mountaineers Defeat Kansas State Wildcats in Defensive Battle
Mountaineers' stifling defense proves too much for Wildcats' high-powered offense
Jan. 27, 2026 at 7:23pm
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The West Virginia Mountaineers defeated the Kansas State Wildcats 74-66 in a defensive-minded college basketball matchup. West Virginia's suffocating defense, which ranks 8th nationally in points allowed per game, was the difference as they were able to limit the Wildcats' high-powered offense and control the tempo throughout the game.
Why it matters
This win is an important one for the Mountaineers as they look to solidify their position in the Big 12 standings. Meanwhile, the loss puts the Wildcats in a deeper hole in conference play, as they now sit at 1-6 in league action.
The details
West Virginia's defense was the key to the game, holding Kansas State to just 66 points and forcing them to shoot only 48% from the field. The Mountaineers also dominated the glass, out-rebounding the Wildcats 38-28. Offensively, West Virginia was led by guard Honor Huff, who scored 16 points, while Treysen Eaglestaff and Chance Moore each added 10 points. For Kansas State, guard P.J. Haggerty continued his strong season with 23 points, but the Wildcats struggled to get consistent production from their supporting cast.
- The game was played on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
The players
Honor Huff
A guard for the West Virginia Mountaineers who scored a team-high 16 points in the win.
Treysen Eaglestaff
A forward for the West Virginia Mountaineers who scored 10 points in the victory.
Chance Moore
A guard for the West Virginia Mountaineers who also scored 10 points in the game.
P.J. Haggerty
A guard for the Kansas State Wildcats who led all scorers with 23 points in the losing effort.
Brenen Lorient
A forward for the West Virginia Mountaineers who anchored the team's stifling defense with 26 blocks on the season.
What they’re saying
“We knew coming in that we had to control the tempo and limit their open looks from three. Our guys did a great job of executing the game plan and making it tough on them all night.”
— Bob Huggins, Head Coach, West Virginia Mountaineers
“We just couldn't get into any kind of rhythm offensively. West Virginia's defense really took us out of what we wanted to do, and we couldn't make them pay from the outside like we needed to.”
— Jerome Tang, Head Coach, Kansas State Wildcats
What’s next
The Mountaineers will look to build on this win as they continue their Big 12 schedule, while the Wildcats will try to regroup and get back on track in conference play.
The takeaway
West Virginia's stifling defense proved to be the difference in this game, as they were able to limit Kansas State's high-powered offense and control the tempo throughout. This win showcases the Mountaineers' ability to win tough, grind-it-out games, which could serve them well as they push for a strong finish in Big 12 play.
