Kentucky escapes at West Virginia to reach NCAA Women’s Sweet 16

In a game every bit as evenly matched as expected, Kentucky women's basketball used its height to its advantage against West Virginia . UK, which sports three players 6-foot-3 or taller in its starting lineup, dominated the battle of the boards in Monday's second-round NCAA Tournament contest. The Wildcats grabbed 39 rebounds, 16 more than the Mountaineers (23).

That edge on the glass helped Kentucky more than double West Virginia in second-chance points, 16-7. Capitalizing on those opportunities was the difference, as the fifth-seeded Wildcats held off the fourth-seeded Mountaineers, notching a 74-73 victory at Hope Coliseum in Morgantown, West Virginia. The win for Kentucky (25-10) clinched a spot in the Sweet 16.

It will be UK's first appearance in the round since 2016. The loss brings WVU's season to a close. The Mountaineers end the 2025-26 campaign with a 28-7 overall record.

This story will be updated. Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett. com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.