MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The ghosts of “Press Virginia” still haunt Pitt at the newly named Hope Coliseum. Even without Bob Huggins roaming the West Virginia sidelines, a new-look Mountaineers team used intense defensive pressure in the halfcourt to put away their rivals in the 192nd Backyard Brawl. It marked their first win over the Panthers since 2022.

Pitt (3-1) committed 11 turnovers and shot a measly 37% from the field and 25% from 3-point range while West Virginia (4-0) used a 30-4 run that spanned both halves to secure a 71-49 victory at home. A low-scoring affair meant winning on the margins — West Virginia owned a 8-6 edge in offensive rebounding, 7-5 lead in 3-pointers made and 12-6 advantage in turnovers committed — made all the difference.

Under the overwhelming gaze and jeers

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