WVMetroNews · Dec 10, 2018
Mountaineers wouldn’t back down from Pitt’s physicality
West Virginia's Sagaba Konate (50) and Pitt guard Sidy N'Dir go for the rebound on Saturday in the Backyard Brawl.MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Maybe it was the gesture Pitt freshman guard Xavier Johnson gave toward West Virginia’s student section.
Or the icy stare Sidy N’Dir gave Sagaba Konate after dunking over the West Virginia forward.
It could have been the little bumps and shoves or chest-to-chest meetings between players that can come in the heat of a rivalry basketball game.
“It was a little chippy early,” West Virginia guard Chase Harler said after West Virginia’s 69-59 victory against Pittsburgh on Saturday. “Both teams were playing hard. It was intense.”