West Virginia women’s basketball team gets fourth straight win

Dante Bonamico crafted a perfect ending to his football career in Liberty Bowl

Dante Bonamico authored the perfect end to an athletic career that saw him claim six state high school championships at Bridgeport High School and play at the top level of college football at West Virginia. Bonamico primarily saw action on special teams throughout his WVU career, which saw him appear in 40 games from 2017-2020.

Neal Brown named to AFCA Board of Trustees

West Virginia head coach Neal Brown has been elected to the American Football Coaches Association’s Board of Trustees, a group that formulates policy and provides direction for the AFCA. Brown will represent the Big 12 Conference.

Basketball

WVU repels Lady Raiders’ rallies, deals Tech 4th straight loss

West Virginia beat Texas Tech 83-78 in a Big 12 women’s basketball game, taking its largest lead at 71-56 after Jasmine Carson scored 10 points in a 12-0 run capped by one of her three-point goals with 6:41 left. This was the Mountaineers’ fourth win in a row.

WVU women’s hoops moves Oklahoma State game to Saturday

The West Virginia women’s basketball team has announced that it will face Oklahoma State on Saturday at 2 p.m. The game was originally scheduled for January 23rd, the following Saturday. It will be shown on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.

West Virginia Athletics

Divers Set Pair of School Records to Open Backyard Brawl

Led by a pair of school records from junior PJ Lenz and freshman Sara Haggerty, the West Virginia men’s and women’s diving team completed the first of two days of competition against Pitt, at the Aquatic Center at Mylan Park in Morgantown on Wednesday.

Mountaineers Open Spring Season at No. 1

The West Virginia rifle team opens the spring season at #1 in this week’s College Rifle Coaches Association Rankings. Kentucky ranks #2 this week, followed by Ole Miss at #3 and TCU at #4.

Wrestler Peyton Hall enters national rankings

Freshman Peyton Hall of the West Virginia wrestling team enters the national rankings at 165 pounds for the first time in his collegiate career. Hall joins redshirt juniors Noah Adams at 197 pounds and Killian Cardinale at 125 pounds, and junior Caleb Rea at 141 pounds in this week’s polls.

Hammond Looks Ahead to the 2021 Season

As the West Virginia rifle team prepares for its first meet in the 2021 season on January 16th, it is time to hear what head coach Jon Hammond expects to see from his team this season.

Mountaineers in the Pros: Wild Card Weekend

Three former West Virginia football players saw action during the NFL’s Wild Card Weekend. Karl Joseph made a huge play to start the game when he recovered the football for a touchdown. That play 14 seconds into the game was the first of many touchdowns for the Cleveland Browns as they destroyed the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Around the Big 12

Cunningham scores 18; Oklahoma St. tops No. 6 Kansas 75-70

Oklahoma State’s talented young squad is growing up. Cade Cunningham scored 18 points, and the Cowboys held off a late rally to beat #6 Kansas, 75-70, on Tuesday night. The Jayhawks trailed by three in the closing seconds and had the ball, but the Cowboys stole the inbounds pass and drove the length of the floor for a dunk as time expired.

Harmon scores 22 points; Oklahoma cruises past TCU 82-46

De’Vion Harmon made four three-pointers and scored 22 points to lead Oklahoma to an 82-46 win over TCU on Tuesday night. OU, which beat the Horned Frogs in December in a Big 12 Conference opener, ended a two-game losing skid with the win.

UT’s Jones, Brown Earn Men’s Basketball Weekly Awards

Andrew Jones and Greg Brown captured Big 12 men’s basketball weekly awards after leading #4 Texas to wins over Iowa State and at #14 West Virginia. Jones earned his second career Player of the Week award while Brown picked up the Newcomer of the Week honor for the second time this season.

Around the NCAA

WVU’s Lyons to Chair NCAA Division I Council

West Virginia University Director of Athletics Shane Lyons has added another chairmanship to his impressive resume of accomplishments. He was recently appointed chair of the NCAA Division I Council, which is responsible for the day-to-day decision making for the entire organization.

No. 1 Alabama wins national title 52-24 over No. 3 Ohio St

DeVonta Smith was uncoverable, Najee Harris unstoppable, and Mac Jones impeccable as top-ranked Alabama won the College Football Playoff national championship game, 52-24, against #3 Ohio State on Monday night. The Crimson Tide finished the season with a 13-0 record.

Huff, Hauser lead No. 18 Virginia past Fighting Irish, 80-68

Jay Huff scored 18 points and Sam Hauser had 15 points and nine rebounds Wednesday, as #18 Virginia beat Notre Dame 80-68 for its fourth consecutive win.

James Harden traded to the Nets in 4-team blockbuster deal

James Harden will be joining the Brooklyn Nets after being the centerpiece of a four-team trade that rocked the NBA on Wednesday. Check out the details of the complicated trade.

NFL expert picks for the Divisional Playoff round

With quarterback legends Tom Brady and Drew Brees facing off, as well as young stars Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen, it is looking like it will be a great weekend in the NFL.

Have any tips, suggestions or requests for what you want to see in The Shotgun Throwdown? Don’t hesitate to leave a comment below or contact us on social media.

Follow us!

Twitter: @smokingmusket

Facebook: The Smoking Musket

Join the Discord: The Smoking Musket Discord