Pitt falls to WVU in the Backyard Brawl, 69-59

Ben Queen-USA TODAY SportsPitt looked ready for a fight with West Virginia early on Saturday, as the Panthers held their own for the first 10 minutes or so of the Backyard Brawl amid increasingly chippy play at WVU Coliseum. There were even some highlights for Pitt in the first half, as Kene Chukwuka blocked a shot by Sagaba Konate and Sidy N’Dir put the Mountaineers star forward on a poster with a thunderous dunk.

However, sloppy play became a major hindrance for Pitt as West Virginia applied a full-court press, which was in part responsible for the Panthers giving up 14 turnovers and committing 14 fouls in the first half. On top of that, characteristic first-half plays for Pitt included…