MORGANTOWN -- Emotions can either get the best or worst of players, coaches and teams in rivalry games.

West Virginia channeled its emotion and handed archrival Pitt its first loss, 71-49 on Thursday inside the Hope Coliseum.

The 22-point victory marks the second time since 2000 that the Mountaineers beat the Panthers by more than 20 points.

It's also the first time since 2012 that West Virginia has held Pitt to fewer than 50 points.

Four Mountaineers finished in double figures, with Harlan Obioha leading all scorers with 19 points, as well as six rebounds and two blocks.

West Virginia closed the 192nd Backyard Brawl shooting 42.9% from the floor and 29.2% from long distance.

"[I] felt like we did a really good job of executing what we asked our guys to do," WVU coach Ross Hodge said

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