MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The Backyard Brawl, dormant for five seasons, makes its return to women’s basketball Thursday night when No. 10 West Virginia hosts Pitt.
Teana Muldrow’s 23.9 points and 9.1 rebounds per game lead the way for the Mountaineers (7-0), who are currently ninth in the women’s RPI. The remainder of the starters all score in double figures also: Naomi Davenport (14.3), Katrina Pardee (12.7), Kristina King (12.3) and senior guard Chania Ray (11.9)
West Virginia cracked the AP Top 10 this week thanks to a 70-56 win over then-No. 18 Texas A&M, a fast start achieved despite the absence of All-Big 12 guard Tynice Martin (broken foot).
“Wednesday’s practice was energetic,” said WVU coach Mike Carey said. “I think we’ll come in with a lot of confidence, but we’ve got to come in and play hard just like we did against Texas A&M or we’re not going to win this game. That’s what they’ve got to understand.”
Pitt (5-3), which comes in after back-to-back losses to Wisconsin and Fordham, is led by Yacine Diop’s 16 points per game while Kalista Walters averages 12.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.
WVU leads the series 26-19 overall and 13-7 at home.