Saturday, December 8
Morgantown, W.Va.
12 PM
Pitt
7-3
59
at
69
West Virginia
6-3
1
2
F
Pitt
27
32
59
West Virginia
39
30
69
Pitt Falls in Backyard Brawl at West Virginia
12/8/2018 2:45:00 PM | Men's Basketball
MORGANTOWN, W.Va.—In a physical game fitting of the Pitt-West Virginia "Backyard Brawl" rivalry, the Panthers fell to the Mountaineers, 69-59, on Saturday afternoon at the WVU Coliseum.
In the 186th meeting between the two programs in men's basketball, the teams combined for 49 total fouls—and 50 turnovers—in a contest that was reminiscent of old Big East basketball battles from past decades.
West Virginia's size and the presence of junior forward Sagaba Konate, who finished with 16 points, nine rebounds and seven blocks off the bench, allowed the Mountaineers (6-3) to take control late in the first half. WVU built its lead to as many as 17 early in the second period.
But Pitt, aided by its stand-out freshmen guards Xavier Johnson and Trey McGowens, kept fighting.
The Panthers (7-3) pulled within eight points twice in the second half but couldn't get any closer. Johnson finished with a game-high 21 points, while McGowens tallied a career-high 18 points. Au'Diese Toney also added six as freshmen combined to score 45 of Pitt's 59 points in the game.
Pitt fell to 88-98 all-time against West Virginia.
In the 186th meeting between the two programs in men's basketball, the teams combined for 49 total fouls—and 50 turnovers—in a contest that was reminiscent of old Big East basketball battles from past decades.
West Virginia's size and the presence of junior forward Sagaba Konate, who finished with 16 points, nine rebounds and seven blocks off the bench, allowed the Mountaineers (6-3) to take control late in the first half. WVU built its lead to as many as 17 early in the second period.
But Pitt, aided by its stand-out freshmen guards Xavier Johnson and Trey McGowens, kept fighting.
The Panthers (7-3) pulled within eight points twice in the second half but couldn't get any closer. Johnson finished with a game-high 21 points, while McGowens tallied a career-high 18 points. Au'Diese Toney also added six as freshmen combined to score 45 of Pitt's 59 points in the game.
Pitt fell to 88-98 all-time against West Virginia.
BIG PICTURE
Pitts: The Panthers have lost three of their last four games. They'll host Maryland Eastern Shore, New Orleans and Colgate before starting ACC play at home against Cam Johnson and North Carolina.
West Virginia: The Mountaineers looked very much like the ''Press Virginia'' version of years past. That skill will come in handy for West Virginia with Rhode Island and NCAA Tournament mainstay Lehigh left on their non-conference schedule.
UP NEXT
Pitt will have a week off before hosting Maryland Eastern Shore on Saturday.
West Virginia will also have a week off, taking on Rhode Island in the Hall of Fame Showcase on Dec. 16.
Team Stats
UP
WVU
FG%
.315
.400
3FG%
.261
.238
FT%
.826
.833
RB
33
41
TO
24
26
STL
14
6
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
21
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
10
Pts
18
FGM
5
3FGM
2
FTM
6
Pts
6
FGM
2
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
6
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
G
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