MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The 2018 version of the Backyard Brawl lived up to its name, with a combined 49 fouls called between the two teams and bodies wearing both blue and gold frequently crashing to the floor.
Pitt freshman guard Xavier Johnson and Trey McGowens kept driving inside against the physical West Virginia defense and came away with 21 and 19 points, respectively.
They also came away with a few bumps and bruises. McGowens was sporting a brush burn on his forehead. Johnson played through a back injury and was bleeding from his right leg by the end of the game.
The Pitt players battled to the end, closing what had been a 17-point game to eight before the Mountaineers closed out with a 69-59 victory, mirroring the 10-point spread coming into the game.
Here’s the reaction from the battered Pitt locker room, including Johnson, McGowens and head coach Jeff Capel.
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