March 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\nNow the Mountaineers are happy to share their fun with the rest of the college basketball world.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe just take it to shock our system to get our brains refreshed and focused on what\u2019s ahead,\u201d said Harrison, who won the tournament\u2019s most outstanding player award after she poured in 21 points against the Horned Frogs, to go along with six rebounds, four assists and three steals.<\/p>\n
\u201cI will say,\u201d Shaw added, laughing, \u201cthere are times when I have to ask them where they got these lemons from because they are biting back. They\u2019re so sour sometimes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Shaw and Harrison said the lemons \u2014 which are optional for anyone who wants one, both pregame or in-game \u2014 are typically consumed in the locker room, especially before home games. Sunday\u2019s game was a switch from the norm, when the team\u2019s starters were photographed eating their lemons from the bench just seconds before tipoff.<\/p>\n
According to the duo, every player has their own technique for consuming the lemons.<\/p>\n
For Harrison, who supplements lemons with some sour Skittles, she only wants the lemon\u2019s juice.<\/p>\n
But Shaw? Sometimes she\u2019s down to be a little more adventurous.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt depends on how sour it is, honestly,\u201d she said of the fruit\u2019s slices. \u201cIs it lemon meat? Is that what you call it? I\u2019ll eat it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Both players credit Wu with his role in slicing and distributing the lemons before every game, and Espa\u00f1a P\u00e9rez with the idea.<\/p>\n
In addition to the sour sensation shocking their systems for an energy boost, both Shaw and Harrison say the lemon tradition helps them mentally.<\/p>\n
Shaw was excited about the idea because she ate lemons growing up and now finds the tradition fun. Harrison said it can also help with any pregame jitters.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s so sour, so any thought that you\u2019re thinking about the game, like if you\u2019re nervous or anything like that, once you take a bite of that lemon, all of (those) thoughts are gone,\u201d Harrison said. \u201cYou just restart.\u201d<\/p>\n
So far, coaches haven\u2019t participated in the lemon tradition to the duo\u2019s knowledge.<\/p>\n
However, with all the attention the lemons are getting now? Harrison thinks Kellogg and Co. might jump on board.<\/p>\n
One thing is for sure: The lemons are coming to March Madness, where the Mountaineers (27-6) are poised to make some noise, combining their dominant defense with just the right amount of fun, too.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe got the Big 12 championship off of them, so we\u2019re going to keep taking those for sure,\u201d Harrison said.<\/p>\n