The Pitt Panthers had a performance for the ages on Saturday as they absolutely demolished Syracuse 99-81 at the Petersen Events Center. The Panthers started off the game with a lackluster first half performance, shooting only 31.4% from the field and still managing a 37-33 halftime lead.
Syracuse tried to cut into the lead early in the second half, but Pitt refused to let them get any closer. The Panthers shot a blistering 63.6% from the field in the second half, and connected on 31 of their 50 attempted shots. Additionally, they hit 10-of-10 free throws to close out the game.
Pitt was led by forward Trey McGowens, who had a career-high 30 points on 11-of-17 shooting. The Panthers had four other players in double-figures, with Xavier Johnson scoring 18, Ryan Murphy 16, and Justin Champagnie and Au’Diese Toney each adding 12.
The Panthers also outrebounded the Orange 37-30, with Justin Champagnie leading the way with 10 rebounds. The victory was Pitt’s third in a row, and they now stand at 10-7 overall and 4-5 in the ACC.
Pitt’s sensational second-half performance was a testament to their resilience and tenacity. They refused to let Syracuse back into the game, and it paid off in a big way. With the win, the Panthers have now established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the ACC.
