MORGANTOWN, WV (93.7 The Fan) – Panthers pounded the Mountaineers from distance and controlled the defensive glass ending an 11-year draught against West Virginia with an 80-63 win.
There were times the offense didn't have much rhythm, but the outshooting kept the Panthers moving. They made 16 three-pointers, shooting 42% from deep.
Mountaineers started out to an 8-2 lead and an alley-oop to Jesse Edwards had the WVU Coliseum rocking. Blake Hinson would hit two straight threes to pull Pitt within two at 10-8. Another Hinson three would give the Panthers its first lead that they would only relinquish on the first bucket of the second half. Hinson answered that one as well with a three to give Pitt lead. WVU takes the lead again on another alley-oop to Edwards and again Hinson answered with a three.
Hinson finished with a career-high 29 points (10-19 FG, 9-15 from 3) on a career-high nine made three-point shots.
"I think Blake is one of the better players in the ACC," said Pitt head coach Jeff Capel. "I think he can be one of the better players in the country. He's off to an outstanding season, but probably the thing he's done best is lead. That's where he's really grown as a player."
"Probably the thing he does best is lead. That's where he's really, really grown as a player. He has so much pride in the University of Pittsburgh and gratefulness for the City of Pittsburgh and it permeates through our team."
Panthers get a first win in the Backyard Brawl since 2012.
"It's huge when you lost two in a row at home," said Pitt head coach Jeff Capel. "It's a rivalry game, awesome crowd, great environment. I'm just really proud we were able to perform like this."
"It means a lot being a rivalry game, but it means a lot because we needed a win," Hinson said. "That's what we went out and got."
One and done
West Virginia shot 42 from the floor, but the Panthers held the Mountaineers to 15% from three and allowed only five offensive rebounds. Will Jeffress off the bench with nine rebounds. While Hinson finished with seven and Jorge Diaz Graham with six in only 15 minutes. Edwards averaged four offensive rebounds a game and ended up with two offensive and nine total.
"I thought we did a heck of a job limiting him (Edwards)," Capel said. "Then Will got in there and rebounded, our guards got in there and rebounded. I thought we did a good job."
Will Jeffress
"I thought the guy who changed the game was Will," Capel said. "It's a testament because it doesn't show up as points, but what he did to give us energy defensively, rebounding. He was a connector. He was an unbelievable communicator. He showed grit and toughness and it really helped us be better."
"That is what it looks like to be a winner," Hinson said. "That is a definition of being a winner, being able to come out there and put winning first. That's what it looks like. I love him."
"When we come off the bench, we just want to supply energy because that's the basis for how you win," Jeffress said.
Bub-ling
Booed every time he touched the ball by the West Virginia student section, Bub Carrington finished with 16 points and nine assists. It's the freshman guard's first college road game in a hostile environment. Capel said Carrington did a better job of getting to the hoop as the game went on.
Brothers
An assist from Jorge to Guillermo Diaz Graham highlighted a big night from the brothers. Jorge finished with the six rebounds, three points and two assists. Guillermo had 15 points on 6-7 shooting, 3-4 from three in 24 minutes. It was critical as Federiko Federiko was limited no points and one rebound as he dealt with four fouls.
"The twins did a great job defending Edwards," Jeffress said. "They both impacted the game a lot."
T to start
After the first field goal of the game Panthers Ishmael Leggett called for a technical foul for talking at Mountaineers players. WVU would immediately tie the game after the made free throws. Leggett would pick up a first personal foul at the 17:00 mark of the first half and would sit the rest of the half.
Up Next
Panthers host Canisius Saturday at 6p with pregame at 1:30 with Bill Hillgrove, Curtis Aiken and Cale Berger.
