WVU Basketball Reclaims Backyard Brawl Glory Thanks to Second Half Surge

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The WVU basketball team earned the first Backyard Brawl win since 2022 on Thursday with a 71-49 victory over Pitt at the Hope Coliseum.

WVU’s starters remained the same as the three prior games – senior guard Jasper Floyd, Huff, senior guard Treysen Eaglestaff, Lorient and senior center Harlan Obioha.

WVU started hot with the game’s first five points coming from Obioha and an and-one mid-range shot from Floyd.

Pitt swung back with six straight points for its first lead. While WVU started the game 0-5 from three-point range, offensive rebounding created an opportunity for freshman forward DJ Thomas to give WVU the lead with a layup at 7-6.

Thomas then scored WVU’s first three-pointer to give the Mountaineers a 10-6 lead.

The Panthers forced a significant momentum swing with an 8-0 run, including five straight points from freshman guard Omari Witherspoon.

WVU struggled to find offensive consistency as Pitt maintained the lead. Huff broke a WVU scoring drought at the 7:26 mark with a three pointer to avoid a shot clock violation. Thomas scored again on the next possession off an assist by Obioha.

Sophomore guard Brandin Cummings added to his productive first half right after, putting Pitt up 23-19 with a two-point jumper.

The front court for WVU showed up again, as Obioha scored inside to start a Mountaineer run. Thomas passed the double-digit scoring threshold with another three for a 25-23 WVU lead.

WVU’s run carried on until the Mountaineers earned a 34-25 lead heading into halftime. WVU ended the first half on a 6:07, 15-2 run.

Obioha connected from the paint to start the second half and went 1-2 from the line on the next possession. Floyd tallied a steal and a fast break layup for a 39-25 WVU lead, forcing a Pitt timeout.

The good times kept rolling for the Mountaineers to start the half as the opening run grew to 12 points for a 46-25 lead.

A 13-2 run brought Pitt back within 10 points at the 11:03 mark.

Lorient converted on a layup before a scoreless 2:27. The Mountaineers took control again after with an inside score from Obioha and a corner three in transition by Huff.

Frustration built for the Panthers and it overflowed into two technical fouls within fifteen seconds. The first was on sophomore guard Nojus Indrusaitis and the second on HC Jeff Capel. Between the two techs and a shooting foul, Huff added six points from the free throw line.

A third technical foul came against the panthers on senior forward Cameron Corhen, but Huff missed both free throws.

The Mountaineers held on and topped Pitt in the Backyard Brawl 71-49.

WVU basketball will take the court again at 7 p.m. Monday when it hosts Lafayette.

Find more coverage of WVU basketball at WV Sports Now.