Pitt crushes WVU, keeps home record perfect
PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Panthers remained perfect at home after crushing West Virginia 82-46 at the Petersen Events Center Wednesday night. Pittsburgh (17-3, 7-2) was coming off a tough two-point loss at Notre Dame in which its national ranking slipped to number seven, but was able to get back on the winning track and retake first place in the Big East West Division in front of 12,273 fans.
“The margin of victory can be very small at times in this league, so we really played well today to be able to win by such a large margin,” Pittsburgh head coach Ben Howland said. “Tonight, we played the way we need to play to be successful.”
The Mountaineers (12-9, 3-5) remained close through most of the first half and found themselves down only six points with five minutes remaining before the break.
The Panthers opened up a double-digit lead two minutes later and West Virginia never threatened again. Pitt took a 37-20 lead into the locker room at the half.
“I am certainly not pleased with the way we played, but I think we were intimidated,” Beilein said. “Tonight ended up being a complete mismatch in ability and strength.”
The Mountaineers have not defeated the Panthers in their last four tries, including a 80-61 loss to Pitt at the Coliseum earlier this season.
The biggest margin of victory for Pitt over West Virginia was previously 27 points (92-65) which occurred last season at the last game played at Fitzgerald Field House. This game was also Pitt’s largest margin of victory in the Big East.
“When our kids hit the weight room this summer, they need to remember how strong you have to be in this league,” Beilein said. “Pitt’s defense is terrific, their hands are quick, and we were forced off-balance by a stronger team tonight.”
Pittsburgh out-rebounded West Virginia by 15 and also shot 81 percent from the free throw line.
“It’s good to get a strong effort under the boards again because we will win most of our games on defense,” Howland said. “Also, I think we set a record at the free throw line tonight with this team by shooting over 80 percent.”
Brandin Knight continued his scoring slump by not scoring a point in the first half, and only 3 for the game. Donatas Zavackas regained his shooting touch, however, scoring 15 points to lead all scorers.
“The past few times out I have not had good games as my shots were just rolling out, but I just had to keep shooting and they fell for me tonight,” Zavackas said. “”Its definitely a great feeling to get a big win at home over a big rival like West Virginia.”
Five Panthers altogether scored in double figures as Chevon Troutman scored 13, Carl Krauser scored 12, Jaron Brown scored 11, and Julius Page added 10.
“They were giving up a lot inside to defend the outside shot,” Knight said. “I was looking to get the ball down low and only got the opportunity to shoot about three times.”
The Mountaineers were led by Pittsburgh-native Drew Schifino with 12 points. He was the only West Virginia player to score in double figures.
“Pitt makes it tough for an offense to score,” Schifino said. “We lost by 40 this season and bounced back, so we can certainly bounce back again.”
Beilein recognized defense as the key to Pitt’s victory as well.
“They (Pittsburgh) defend really well and make it hard for you to drive to the basket,” Beilein said. “They knocked us off the ball without fouling us, but just by playing solid defense.”
Howland was pleased with the Panther defensive effort as well.
“It was a great win, we really played well, rebounded the basketball well, and really shared the ball on those highlight passes on fast breaks,” Howland said. “West Virginia is a good team who have beat some top teams this year, they execute well and can score.”
Pittsburgh now begins a tough road trip by traveling to Seton Hall on Saturday then playing at Georgetown two days later.
West Virginia travels to Rutgers this Saturday before returning home on Tuesday to face Notre Dame.