Pitt knocks off West Virginia

Pitt’s men’s basketball team traveled south on I-79 to Morgantown, W.Va., Tuesday, but was not… Pitt’s men’s basketball team traveled south on I-79 to Morgantown, W.Va., Tuesday, but was not far from home in its neighbor’s backyard.

After 12 minutes of back and forth basketball, No. 3 Pitt (13-1 overall, 3-0 in the Big East) ended the first half on a 16-6 run, taking the lead for good to defeat West Virginia (9-5 overall, 1-2 in the conference), 80-61.

West Virginia took a 22-21 lead with eight minutes and 30 seconds remaining in the first half, marking the 10th lead change of the game to that point. The 11th lead change was the last.

The Panthers, sparked by a Brandin Knight three-point shot, exploded on a 10-0 run and never looked back.

“He’s like my blankie,” head coach Ben Howland said of Knight. “I like to have him in [the game] to feel secure.”

The difference in the game was Pitt’s ability to capitalize on the Mountaineers’ turnovers. Both teams had 10 turnovers at the half, but it was the Panthers’ ability to take advantage of West Virginia’s mistakes that made the difference.

Despite turning the ball over 20 times, Pitt shot 63 percent from the field and 56 percent from behind the three-point line, handing West Virginia its first home loss this season.

Pitt also outrebounded the Mountaineers, 31-19.

Donatas Zavackas scored a team high 16 points, including connecting on four-of-four three-point shots.

“If you get me the ball, I’ll get you an assist,” he said of his accurate shooting.

Ontario Lett, fresh off being named co-Big East Player of the Week, started the scoring in the game when he converted on a layup. He finished the game with 14 points.

Lett is 29-for-35 from the field for 68 points in his last five games.

“Think we should get him the ball more?” Howland asked after the game.

Jaron Brown and Julius Page also added 14 points each.

“Jaron makes so much happen out there,” Howland said. “I don’t think the average fan picks up on it.”

Pittsburgh native Drew Schifino had a game high 18 points for the Mountaineers.

The Panthers led 40-28 at halftime, and Pitt’s 12-point lead was the closest that West Virginia would get until Kevin Pittsnogle hit a jumper for the Mountaineers to close within 51-39.

Ben Howland broke a Pitt curse, becoming the first coach in school history to win two games at the WVU Coliseum.

“I wish we could’ve shot free throws better, though,” he said.

Pitt and West Virginia are second to last and last in the conference, respectively, in free-throw shooting percentage. The Panthers’ woes from the line continued, as they shot eight-for-15 from the line, and the Mountaineers connected on 16-of-20 from the stripe.

Pitt has won the last three meetings against West Virginia. The teams play again Feb. 12 at the Petersen Events Center.

Pitt’s next home game is Saturday against Syracuse.

“They’re so good and so long,” Howland said of the Orangemen. “How could they not be in the top 20? That’s a joke.”

Syracuse is coming off a victory over Missouri, who is ranked No. 11 in the nation.

“This is going to be the toughest team we’ve played at home yet,” Howland said. “And that’s saying a lot.”

The Panthers have not lost a Big East regular season game since Jan. 30, 2002, when they lost 89-76 to Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind.

Pitt is off to its best start since the 1929-30 season, when the Panthers started 12-0 on the way to a 23-2 record and the team’s last national championship.