The Big 12 women’s basketball tournament final is set.
No. 2 West Virginia defeated No. 6 Colorado 48-47 in the semifinal on Saturday to punch its ticket to the championship game on Sunday, where they will face No. 1 TCU.
Both teams struggled from the 3-point line for a majority of the game, but the closing minutes turned into a shootout. Colorado’s Desiree Wooten hit a 3-pointer with 1:08 remaining to give the Buffaloes a 45-43 lead. Then, West Virginia’s Gia Cooke knocked down a 3-pointer with 32 seconds left to retake the lead, 46-45.
Jordan Harrison hit two free throws to extend West Virginia’s lead to three points with 16 seconds remaining. Wooten attempted a game-tying 3-pointer with 2.9 second remaining, but was fouled by West Virginia’s Kierra Wheeler. Wooten was awarded three free throws, but only converted two to come within one point, 48-47.
Cooke missed two free throws with 2.2 seconds left, opening the door for Colorado. But the Buffaloes weren’t able to get a final shot off because Jordan Harrison, the Big 12 defensive player of the year, came up with a steal.
Harrison finished with a team-high 15 points, five rebounds and four steals. Gia Cooke added 14 points in the win.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Big 12 Tournament semifinal matchup between West Virginia and Colorado:
End of Q3: West Virginia 34, Colorado 30
West Virginia started to find some rhythm in the third quarter and outscored Colorado 17-13 in the third quarter to take a slight four-point lead into the fourth quarter. Defense has led to offense for the Mountaineers. West Virginia has scored 10 points off 11 Colorado turnovers and has nine fast break points, compared to none for Colorado. Jordan Harrison has a game-high 13 points for West Virginia.
Colorado trailed by as many as 12 points in the third quarter, but the Buffaloes closed the frame on an 8-0 run. Zyanna Walker leads Colorado with 12 points.
Halftime: West Virginia 17, Colorado 17
West Virginia and Colorado are tied after one half, 17-17, The combined score of 34 sets a new record for the fewest combined points in a half in the Big 12 women’s basketball tournament semifinals.
Both team’s struggled to find any offensive rhythm. West Virginia is shooting 23% from the field and 1-of-7 from the 3-point line. The Buffaloes are faring slightly better from the field (30%), but are 0-of-7 from the 3-point line.
End of Q1: West Virginia 13, Colorado 12
The second semifinal matchup of the Big 12 women’s basketball tournament is underway. West Virginia has a 13-12 lead over Colorado after one quarter and its proved to be a defensive battle.
What time is West Virginia vs. Colorado?
The Big 12 women’s basketball tournament’s semifinal round matchup between No. 2 West Virginia and No. 6 Colorado tips off Saturday, March 7 at 6:30 p.m. ET at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
Date: Saturday, March 7
Time: 6:30p.m. ET
Location: T-Mobile Center (Kansas City, Missouri)
The winner will advance to the championship game on Sunday, March 8 (5 p.m. ET, ESPN+). Selection Sunday follows on March 15, with March Madness tipping off on March 18.
West Virginia vs. Colorado: TV, streaming
The Big 12 women’s basketball tournament semifinal game between West Virginia and Colorado will be shown exclusively on ESPN+.
Stream Virginia-Baylor/Colorado on ESPN+
West Virginia Mountaineers starting lineup
Head coach: Mark Kellogg
1 Carter McCray | F 6-1 – Junior
3 Gia Cooke | G 5-8 – Junior
5 Sydney Shaw | G 5-9 – Senior
10 Jordan Harrison | G 5-6 – Senior
22 Kierra Wheeler | F 6-1 – Senior
Colorado women’s basketball starting lineup
Head coach: JR Payne
1 Zyanna Walker | G 5’11 – Junior
13 Maeve McErlane | G 5-11 – Junior
14 Jade Masogayo | F 6-3 – Senior
15 Anaelle Dutat | F 6-0 – Senior
17 Tabitha Betson | F 6-2 – Sophomore
West Virginia Mountaineers Roster
Colorado Buffaloes Roster
Big 12 women’s basketball tournament 2026
All times Eastern
Saturday, March 7- Semifinals
Game 13: No. 1 TCU 74, No. 12 Kansas State 62
Game 14: No. 2 West Virginia vs. No. 6 Colorado | 6:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
Sunday, March 8
Championship: No. 1 TCU vs. Winner of Game 14 | 5:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
Reach USA TODAY National Women’s Sports Reporter Cydney Henderson at chenderson@gannett.com and follow her on X at @CydHenderson.
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