WVU Basketball Can’t Hit Shots in Blowout Brawl Loss

PITTSBURGH — WVU basketball might not be as physical as it was under Bob Huggins, but one aspect of the Huggins era stayed true during the Backyard Brawl on Friday, they didn’t make shots.

That simple phrase, which Huggins often used to explain poor offensive performances, perfectly encapsulated the Mountaineers’ big problem in the 86-62 loss to the Panthers inside the Petersen Events Center. WVU (2-1) simply did not shoot well enough to keep pace with Pitt (4-0). 

The Mountaineers finished 24-62 (38.7%) from the floor and 6-29 (20.7%) on three-pointers. The team started 0-8 from range until Jonathon Powell finally hit one with 4:24 to play in the first half.

Pitt, meanwhile, was shooting lights out to begin the game. The Panthers made half of their first dozen attempts from deep, building a 35-14 lead at one point in the first half.

Pitt coach Jeff Capel was the one who suggested the Mountaineers don’t have the same kind of physicality under first-year coach Darian DeVries as they used to.

The game started out physically, however, as WVU forward Amani Hansberry caught Pitt Center Guillermo Diaz Graham with an elbow while going up for a layup. Diaz Graham went to the floor bleeding and Hansberry was assessed a flagrant foul.

That sent Hansberry to the bench, where he spent most of the first half, playing under seven minutes while picking up three personal fouls.

Pitt closed the first half on a 6-0 run to double up the Mountaineers, 44-22, at halftime.

WVU’s shooting woes didn’t improve any in the second half as the Mountaineers started 1-6 from the floor and 1-5 from three.

Pitt stayed hot on the other end of the floor, as a 6-0 run all by Pitt’s Damian Dunn pushed the Panthers’ lead up to 62-31 with 13 minutes still to play.

Hansberry and Tucker DeVries fouled out of the game in the second half, combining for just eight points. Freshman Jonathan Powell led the Mountaineers with 16 points, with four three-pointers. Javon Small contributed 12 points.

For Pitt, Dunn led all scorers with 23 points. Ishmael Leggett added 15, while Cam Corhen scored 14 and Diaz Graham finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds. As a team, Pitt held a 44-33 advantage on the glass.

The 24-point setback is West Virginia’s largest loss in the Backyard Brawl since losing 82-46 in 2003.

WVU has a few days off before returning home to host Iona on Wednesday at 7 p.m.