(Pittsburgh Pa) The Pitt Panthers are now 15-13 overall as a result of 39% shooting from the floor and sustaining their 5th straight loss. Wednesday night the Syracuse Orangmen blasted the Panthers by 23 points ruining the regular season home game finale for the Blue and Gold.
Pitt was already looking like a team very low on gas in the 72-49 loss it’s largest defeat of the season. The Panthers are now 6-12 in acc play and the young squad appeared lethargic at times on defense allowing the Orange to go coast to coast for easy buckets. On offense the home team shot a horrible 16 for 55 from the floor (29%) and actually had more turnovers 18 than baskets 16.
The Pitt panthers are now 2-8 since defeating Boston College on Jan 22. One bright spot in Wednesday nights’ loss was Pitt freshman Justin Champagnie’ double-double (13points and 17 rebounds). Trey McGowens and Swingman Au’ dise Toney had 8 pts apiece . Point guard Xavier Johnson had 5pts.
Syracuse 6’6′ shooting guard Elijah Hughes the ACC’s leading scorer, Led all scorers with 25 pts . Freshman phenom guard Joe Girard added 16 pts (with a few timely dagger 3 pointers to burry the panthers). Pitt fell behind 37-21 at halftime. Committed 12 turnovers with only 7 baskets in 23 shot attempts before the intermission. In the second half Syracuse outscored Pitt 29-12 over the final 12 minutes of the game.
Pitt Coach Capel is still building the Pitt Panther basketball program after takin over a program that was winless in ACC play 2 years ago. It was Senior night and only Graduate Transfer F Eric Hamilton played meaningful minutes.
Syracuse host North Carolina in Saturday. Meanwhile the Pitt Panthers end the regular season with a 2 game road trip that starts saturday at NC State.
Freshman Forward Justin Champagnie commented : ” I mean , we just came in and we just wanted to win for the seniors. I mean ,obviously it didnt turn out in our favor, but it was just playing the same game plan as last time, just trying to attack more. We just really wanted to win”
(Keith Platt Jr – Urban Media Today Sports)
