BYU vs. West Virginia Basketball: Date, Time & How to Watch – 2026

West Virginia defeated No. 19 BYU 79-71 Saturday evening at Hope Coliseum in Morgantown, West Virginia, securing their fifth Quad 1 victory of the season.

The Mountaineers, now 17-12 overall and 8-8 in Considerable 12 play, built a 40-26 halftime lead and held off a second-half BYU rally. The win snapped a three-game losing streak for West Virginia and improves their NCAA Tournament prospects, according to team officials.

BYU fell to 20-9 on the season and also stands at 8-8 in conference play. The loss creates a three-way tie for eighth place in the Big 12 between West Virginia, BYU, and Cincinnati, with West Virginia holding the tiebreaker over both teams.

West Virginia coach Ross Hodge highlighted the atmosphere at Hope Coliseum as a key factor in the victory. The game drew a sell-out crowd of 13,799.

Huff and Lorient led the Mountaineers in scoring, though specific individual statistics were not immediately available. The team’s performance marked a significant win against a ranked opponent, representing their second such victory this season.

The win is considered a crucial boost to West Virginia’s postseason portfolio, particularly given the competitive landscape of bubble teams vying for NCAA Tournament bids. The team’s record and the quality of their victories are being closely evaluated by the tournament selection committee.

The Cougars’ attempt to close the gap in the second half proved insufficient against a determined West Virginia defense. BYU’s final score of 71 was not enough to overcome the Mountaineers’ strong first-half performance and home-court advantage.

West Virginia’s next scheduled game is not yet announced, but the team will continue to assess their standing in the Big 12 as the regular season concludes.