[Lefty Noob]

Tough loss for the Mountaineers. They needed this quality win.

Scout.com: Clawed!
The No. 12 Panthers (25-5, 12-3 Big East) used 14 points, all in the second half, from Levance Fields and had four others in double figures in sending WVU to its fourth loss in six games via a season series sweep with an 80-66 win here Tuesday.

The Mountaineers (20-8, 8-7), quickly falling from NCAA consideration, failed to contain any of Pitt’s weapons in the second half after leading at the break. The Panthers, down 32-29, opened the second half with a 9-0 run to take a 38-32 lead with 16:25 left. It never trailed again. The push was a showcase of Pitt’s all-around versatility against WVU’s lack of interior ability. Aaron Gray got to the line on the first two trips via Pitt’s inside push, then hit a jumper on the third trip. And after Levon Kendall added another inside hoop, Fields buried a 3-pointer from the right wing to end the run.

“In the last few games they have been playing as well as any team in the country,” West Virginia head coach John Beilein said. “They certainly showed our guys why they have been successful.”

It mattered little that West Virginia hit three 3-pointers over as many minutes to stay close. Pitt relentlessly attacked inside and out and forced WVU to continue to take long threes, 22 of 33 of which missed. The Mountaineers, led by 14 points from Darris Nichols, did pull as close as 49-48 with 9:27 left, but Kendall hit a pair of free throws, Mike Cook nailed a three and substitute Tyrell Biggs scored consecutive hoops, all within two minutes. West Virginia could only answer with a deep 3-pointer from Jamie Smalligan in falling behind 61-51. It never got closer than nine points afterward in falling to 2-6 in Big East road games.

So, it's starting to look like we may need to settle for the NIT this year, WVU fans.