No. 3 Gonzaga suffered a surprising 86-78 overtime loss to unranked West Virginia, marking the Bulldogs’ first defeat of the season. West Virginia pulled off the upset by erasing a 10-point second-half deficit and forcing overtime. Tucker DeVries played a crucial role for the Mountaineers, sending the game to OT with clutch free throws and contributing 16 points in total. Javon Small led the team with 31 points. Gonzaga’s late-game mistakes, including turnovers and a failed game-winner attempt, cost them the win.
The loss adds Gonzaga to the list of top-five teams falling this week, alongside UConn and Iowa State, leading to anticipated changes in the college basketball rankings. Despite their strong start with wins over Baylor, Arizona State, and San Diego State, Gonzaga couldn’t maintain their unbeaten record. The defeat comes as a reminder of the unpredictability of college basketball and the competitiveness of the sport.
This unexpected outcome highlights the exciting and unpredictable nature of college basketball, where underdog teams can rise to the occasion and defeat top-ranked opponents. The shakeup in the rankings following this week’s upsets is a testament to the competitiveness and parity within the sport. Fans can expect more surprises and close games as the college basketball season progresses.
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