Just like old times.
Burnaby South alumnus Jermaine Haley has been there before, and experienced the pressure and jubilation. Only this time it was on a bigger stage.
On Saturday, the former Rebels star got a game-winning shot off to deliver a major upset for his West Virginia Mountaineers, as they knocked off Big-12 powerhouse Kansas University 65-64 in Morgantown, West Virginia.
The Mountaineers erased a 64-58 deficit over the final few minutes, keeping No. 7 Jayhawks off the scoreboard as they closed the gap. But Kansas had its chances, including a three-point shot with a second remaining that hit metal. It was another trey attempt with just over 10 seconds left that deflected out to Haley, that led to the winning bucket.
The six-foot-seven junior guard caught the ball and drove down court for a layup with 8.5 seconds on the clock, to net unranked West Virginia it’s biggest win-to-date of the season.
“Man, it feels good to just get a win, I can tell you that,” Haley said to West Virginia Athletics’ media coordinator John Antonik. “We were actually looking to get inside, but they denied it,” Haley said of his game-winner. “When I got it, I saw the lane. I was going to go off a screen, but I thought I could get to the hoop.”
It was the Mountaineers’ first conference win of the season, evening their overall record at 9-9. The victory also halted a five-game losing streak.
They also did it with team scoring leader Sagaba Konate sidelined by a knee injury.
Haley counted a team-high, as well as tying his personal high with the Mountaineers, 13 points on the night, with five rebounds.
"I felt a different vibe before the game," Haley said. "Everybody was extremely locked in from the coaching staff down to the players and I'm just glad that we came out on top today."
Haley transferred to West Virginia after two seasons at prep program Odessa College in Texas.
