West Virginia Mountaineers vs Pittsburgh Panthers Match Player Stats On Dec 09, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Dec 9, 2017

PITTSBURGH -- Jevon Carter didn't let early foul trouble curb his playmaking aggression, but his absence for a second-half stretch made No. 18 West Virginia vulnerable during a 69-60 win at Pittsburgh on Saturday.

Rekindling the Backyard Brawl for the first time in six seasons, Carter poured in 17 of his 19 points during the opening half when the Mountaineers (9-1) built a 20-point lead.

Most of that was gone when the Panthers (5-5) drew within 61-59 on Marcus Carr's four-point play -- a comeback launched when Carter went to the bench with 13:54 left after picking up his third and fourth fouls on back-to-back possessions.

But Pitt missed its final six shots over the final 5:31 with Carter back on the floor, and Daxter Miles Jr. made two baskets as West Virginia held on.

Miles finished with 15, Lamont West added 13 and reserve James Bolden chipped in 10.

Ryan Luther's 13 points and 12 rebounds led Pitt, which committed only four of its 14 turnovers in the second half. Carr and Shamiel Stevenson each finished with 12 points.

Carter added nine assists and six rebounds as West Virginia posted its ninth consecutive win.

After picking up his second foul with 7:40 left in the first half, Carter stayed on the floor, a decision that turned golden for coach Bob Huggins when his star player scored 12 unanswered points in a 90-second span.

Carter made three straight 3s, one coming off a screen that sent a defender sprawling and coach Kevin Stallings to a technical. Carter made the resulting free throw, and soon the Mountaineers led 38-18.

NOTES: West Virginia improved to 3-9 at Petersen Events Center and leads the all-time series 97-88. This was the beginning of a four-year contract. ... Kevin Stallings fell to 21-22 as the Panthers' coach. ... G Jevon Carter, the national steals leader, failed to record a steal for the first time this season.