The stage was set for a tense Big 12 Conference showdown as the West Virginia Mountaineers hosted the Cincinnati Bearcats at Hope Coliseum on January 6, 2026. Both teams entered the contest with something to prove—West Virginia looking to bounce back from a tough road loss to Iowa State, and Cincinnati eager to shake off its own away-game woes and demonstrate resilience after falling just short against Houston. With tip-off at 7 p.m. Eastern, and ESPN2 broadcasting the action to a national audience, the stakes felt particularly high for a midseason clash.
West Virginia came into the night boasting a perfect 9-0 record at home, a remarkable contrast to its 0-5 performance on the road. The Mountaineers’ home-court advantage had been a reliable weapon all season, and with a matchup against powerhouse Kansas looming, this was a must-win to maintain momentum. Cincinnati, meanwhile, had been formidable in its own building (8-2), but had yet to notch a road victory (0-4) and had lost its last five true road games dating back to the previous season. The Bearcats’ struggles as an underdog (also 0-4) added to the sense that the odds were stacked against them in Morgantown.
Recent results for both squads underscored the defensive tenor expected in this game. West Virginia had just suffered a stinging 80-59 defeat at Iowa State, where the Cyclones torched the nets from deep—Milan Momcilovic alone drained eight three-pointers. Mountaineers coach and fans alike knew perimeter defense had to tighten up, especially with Cincinnati’s Day Day Thomas and Jizzle James both shooting over 40% from beyond the arc. Still, Cincinnati ranked just 263rd nationally in three-point percentage (31.6%), and their offensive output had been inconsistent, with KenPom ranking their attack a lowly 218th in the country. On the flip side, Cincinnati’s defense was elite, rated sixth in the nation, setting the stage for a grind-it-out battle that would likely be decided by which team could manufacture enough points against top-tier resistance.
The first half unfolded true to that script. West Virginia jumped out to an early lead, propelled by the hot hand of senior guard Honor Huff, who poured in eight quick points as the Mountaineers surged to a 17-6 advantage at the 11:40 mark. Cincinnati responded with a rally of its own, closing the gap to just three at halftime—West Virginia led 31-28 as the teams headed to the locker rooms. It was clear that every possession was going to be contested, with both defenses forcing tough, low-percentage looks and limiting easy scoring opportunities.
The second half saw the intensity only ratchet higher. With under 11 minutes remaining, the teams were knotted at 45 apiece, and the tension inside Hope Coliseum was palpable. The Mountaineers then pieced together a critical run, taking a 52-46 lead with just under eight minutes to play. Huff continued to lead the way, and by the final buzzer, he had tallied a game-high 19 points to go along with seven rebounds. Not to be overlooked, Chance Moore contributed 17 points on an efficient 7-of-13 shooting night, and freshman forward DJ Thomas chipped in 10 points off the bench, providing a spark when the Mountaineers needed it most.
West Virginia’s victory was ultimately a testament to its defensive discipline and home-court poise. The Mountaineers’ defense, ranked 55th nationally by KenPom, forced Cincinnati into difficult shots and kept the Bearcats’ offense—already struggling on the road—out of rhythm for most of the night. According to ESPN2’s broadcast, "West Virginia uses a run to take a six point lead with under eight minutes remaining." That cushion proved enough, as the Mountaineers never relinquished control down the stretch.
Cincinnati, for its part, showed flashes of the grit that nearly propelled it to an upset over eighth-ranked Houston just days prior. In that game, the Bearcats had led at halftime and were tied with four minutes to go before missed free throws and late turnovers—particularly by Jizzle James—undermined their upset bid. Against West Virginia, similar offensive struggles emerged, especially from deep, as Day Day Thomas found it tough to get clean looks against the Mountaineers’ aggressive perimeter defense. Baba Miller’s efforts on the offensive glass were largely neutralized by West Virginia’s strong rebounding, with the Mountaineers ranking 34th nationally in defensive rebounding and routinely closing out possessions without fouling.
Both teams’ recent history suggested a defensive slugfest was in store. Their previous two meetings had ended 63-50 and 62-59, both West Virginia wins, and this contest followed suit with a low possession count—reflecting the Mountaineers’ 359th national ranking in adjusted tempo. Every shot was contested, every ball screen fought over, and neither offense ever truly found its rhythm. As one analyst noted before the game, "This is a matchup between two top-15 defenses, according to KenPom, and each defense is going to make the opposing offense work tirelessly to generate quality shots."
For West Virginia, the win not only preserved its perfect home record but also provided a much-needed confidence boost heading into a daunting matchup with Kansas. The Mountaineers had been enduring a five-game losing streak against Power Four opponents, and this victory snapped that skid while keeping their Big 12 hopes alive. The absence of senior forward Brenen Lorient (concussion protocol) was felt, but the team rallied behind its leaders and the energy of the home crowd. As Schuyler Callihan of West Virginia On SI predicted before the game, "The comfy confines of the Coliseum and the crowd will lift the Mountaineers down the stretch."
Cincinnati, meanwhile, will have to regroup and search for answers on the road. The Bearcats have now lost six straight away from home dating back to last season and continue to struggle offensively in hostile environments. Still, their defensive backbone and the emergence of players like Day Day Thomas offer hope that they can turn things around as the season progresses—especially if they can get healthy and regain their early-season form.
With the final horn sounding at Hope Coliseum, West Virginia fans could finally exhale and celebrate a hard-fought win. The Mountaineers’ perfect home record remains intact, and the team heads into its next challenge with renewed belief. Cincinnati, meanwhile, faces another long road trip and the opportunity to regroup before its next conference test. The Big 12 gauntlet continues, and if this game was any indication, every possession and every point will matter as the season heats up.
