Michael Miller is the Site Manager of The Smoking Musket, covering the West Virginia Mountaineers since 2015. Follow Michael on Bluesky @westbygod.bsky.social
West Virginia (4-1) stunned No. 3 Gonzaga (5-1) in a thrilling Battle 4 Atlantis opener, rallying in the final seconds of regulation to force overtime and ultimately prevailing 86-78. The Mountaineers trailed by eight at halftime and struggled to find their rhythm early in the second half, but Javon Small and Amani Hansberry led a relentless comeback. Hansberry’s clutch three-pointer and Small’s steady play helped WVU reclaim the lead midway through the second half.