Gia Cooke hits clutch 3-pointer and No. 15 West Virginia women land in Big 12 Tournament title game

In a thrilling Big 12 Tournament semifinal, No. 15 West Virginia narrowly defeated Colorado 48-47. Gia Cooke’s crucial 3-pointer in the final minute gave West Virginia a lead they held onto despite a tense finish. Jordan Harrison added two free throws, and a last-second steal secured the win. West Virginia, now 26-6, will face No. 10 TCU in the championship game. Colorado, with a 22-11 record, hopes for an NCAA Tournament at-large bid. The game was marked by scoring droughts, with both teams struggling in the second quarter. Despite this, West Virginia managed to pull ahead in the third quarter before Colorado closed the gap. This victory highlights the competitive nature of college basketball and the pressure of tournament play. QUESTION: How do you think the pressure of a close game in a tournament setting affects the performance of athletes, and what strategies might they use to handle it?