West Virginia Visits Kansas in Key Big 12 Women’s Basketball Clash LAWRENCE, Kan. (Interstat) — A pivotal early conference matchup tips off the new year when the West Virginia Mountaineers visit the Kansas Jayhawks in a Big 12 women’s basketball game Thursday at Allen Fieldhouse. Both teams enter with strong non-conference records and momentum, setting the stage for a competitive league opener. West Virginia (11-2) rides a five-game winning streak, including a dominant 101-46 victory over Houston on Dec. 21. Kansas (10-3) looks to rebound from a narrow 79-76 road loss at Iowa State on the same date. The matchup features two of the conference’s top guards. West Virginia’s Sydney Shaw has been a consistent offensive force, averaging 15.2 points over her last five games. She scored 22 points in 27 minutes against Houston. Kansas will counter with standout S’Mya Nichols, who is coming off a spectacular 29-point, 7-assist performance in the loss to Iowa State. Nichols has averaged 19.8 points over her last five contests. The Mountaineers have built their record on stifling defense, holding opponents to an average of 49.2 points during their current win streak. Their only losses came against then-Ohio State by two points and to Villanova. Kansas has shown resilience in close games, with an overtime win at Missouri State and a tight loss to a ranked Iowa State team on the road. The Jayhawks’ other defeats came against Dayton by one point and to Georgia. West Virginia leads the all-time series 14-8, but Kansas won the most recent meeting 77-63 last February in Lawrence. The Jayhawks are 6-3 at home this season, while the Mountaineers are 3-1 in true road games. Thursday’s winner will gain an early advantage in the crowded Big 12 race. Following this game, West Virginia travels to Kansas State on Sunday, while Kansas heads to UCF.