In a closely contested NCAA men's basketball game, the Pittsburgh Panthers faced off against the Syracuse Orange at the Dome. The Panthers demonstrated a strong performance in the first half, ending on a 9-2 run to lead 38-30 at halftime. Bub Carrington was a standout, leading all scorers with 13 points, while Blake Hinson also had a great showing. Pitt capitalized on their rebounding strength, leading the battle on the boards 22-15 and securing 9 offensive rebounds, which contributed to their 8 second-chance points. Despite a series of turnovers, Pitt managed to maintain their lead with a notable 14-4 run in the final five minutes of the half. Syracuse struggled with their shooting, going 1-for-10 from beyond the arc. As the second half progressed, Syracuse mounted a comeback with a 14-2 run, overturning the deficit to lead 44-43 with 13:31 left in the game. The Panthers' shooting cooled down, making just two baskets in the second half, while Syracuse's Judah Mintz knocked down crucial foul shots to give his team a narrow lead. The game's tempo and momentum shifted back and forth, with both teams showing periods of dominance.
Pitt ended the first half on a 14-4 run. Syracuse is currently on a 14-2 run. The Panthers have made just 2 baskets in the second half. Pitt trails Syracuse 44-43 with 13:31 left to play in the game.
Pitt ended the first half on a 14-4 run. Syracuse is currently on a 14-2 run. The Panthers have made just 2 baskets in the second half.
Hinson airballs. Pitt takes a much needed timeout. This place is rockin'. Syracuse leads 44-43 with 13:31 remaining. Panthers haven't made a shot in nearly four minutes.
Mintz knocks down a pair of foul shots to give Cuse its first lead since 6:21 left in the first half. Syracuse is on a 14-2 run. It leads Pitt 44-43 with just under 14 min left.
Maliq Brown has made a big, big difference so far in this second half.
Remember: When this game ends, we'll be live for the Panther-Lair Post-Game. Tune in to talk about Pitt-Syracuse with your comments and questions. https://t.co/QZg0QxSfh8
Here come the Orange. Mintz knocked down a big triple to cut into Pitt's lead. A foul on Fede puts Cuse at the line with a chance to make this a one-score game with 15:39 remaining. Pitt led by as many as 11 early in the second half. Score is currently 43-39.
Copeland gets out on break and draws the foul. Something to watch: Guillermo Diaz Graham and Fede Federiko both have 3 fouls with 15:39 remaining.
Judah Mintz is fouled on a 3. He goes to the line for the first time today. He usually lives at the line, but Pitt has cut off his driving lanes today.
My first half takeaways: ➡️ Pitt might actually be *this* good at rebounding. Really impressed. ➡️ Hinson's vet experience was well on display. Drawing fouls on both ends, making smart passes, very good away from the basketball. ➡️ Lot's of highs and lows from Carrington.…
Pitt leads Syracuse 38-30 at halftime. Mostly a back-and-forth first half but the Panthers took control at the end of the half (partly thanks to a couple iffy calls). Stats below. Smoke if you got 'em. https://t.co/kuOewxMKSM
Halftime: Pitt 38, Syracuse 30 Pitt ends the first half on a 14-4 run over the final 5 minutes. Carrington had 5 points in that stretch - 2 on technical free throws plus a 3-pointer. Both teams finished the half with 10 TOs, but Pitt won the glass 22-15, including 9 on offense
Half: Pitt 38, Syracuse 30. Pitt ended half on 9-2 run. SU is 1-for-10 on 3s. Pitt with 8 2nd-chance points.
First half stats for Pitt and Syracuse https://t.co/yZlpro2ECo
At the end of the first half: Pitt -- 38 Syracuse -- 30 The Panthers were sloppy at times, but really locked in there at the end of the half. Great showings from Hinson and Jeffress. Carrington leads all scorers with 13 points.
Man, this has been a great final push for Pitt. The Panthers have outscored Cuse 14-4 in the past five minutes. Easily the best showing Capel's group has had in the stretch heading into a break. Rebounding, defense, shooting, all very good.
Timeout. Pitt leads Syracuse 29-26 with 4:17 left in the first half. Panthers continue to dominate on the glass, leading 20-11 in the rebound battle. Will Jeffress has seven (yes, you read that correctly) boards off the bench, so far.
Syracuse's offense has bogged down with 2 points in the last 4 minutes. Pitt leads 29-26 and SU coach Adrian Autry asks for a timeout.
Hard to ignore Pitt's dominance so far on the glass. Pitt has outrebounded Cuse 16-7. Panthers have eight offensive rebounds which have led to six second-chance points.
Under-8 timeout and it's tied at 24-24. Pitt's got 7 turnovers, which have led to 8 Syracuse points, but while Bub Carrington has committed 2 of those turnovers, he's also got 8 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists. Pitt is also up to 8 offensive rebounds and 6 second-chance points.
Game tied at 24. Pitt is doing damage on the boards with 16 rebounds to SU's 7. Pitt with 6 second-chance points.
Pitt is winning the rebounding battle in a big way: 16-7. But SU is outscoring the Panthers 8-0 in points off turnovers. We're tied at 24. Good game!
Media timeout. Pitt and Syracuse are tied at 24. The Panthers have looked good in numerous areas (outside shooting and offensive rebounding being the most notable), but turnovers have allowed the Orange to hang around.
That's now four turnovers in less than three minutes for Pitt.
Under-12 media timeout and Pitt is up 18-17, although Syracuse guard Quadir Copeland is going to the line for an and-1 after the break. Pitt is shooting 4/6 from beyond the arc, with three's from Carrington, Hinson, G. Diaz Graham and Austin.
Media break. Pitt leads Syracuse 18-17. Panthers are hot from the outside, shooting 4-of-6 from behind the arc.
Syracuse clearly thinks Pitt's defensive weakness is down low. The Orange are taking the ball to the hoop every possession. Haven't taken a single 3-pointer in the game's first five minutes.
Media break. Pitt trails Syracuse 12-11 with 15:17 left in the opening half. The Orange are winning in the paint, where they've already scored eight points. Pitt has been better outside, knocking down two triples in three attempts.
This is not your father's Syracuse-Pitt tempo
Starting lineups: Pitt (9-3, 0-1) 1. Bub Carrington 2. Ishmael Leggett 3. Blake Hinson 4. Zack Austin 5. Guillermo Diaz Graham Syracuse (9-3, 0-1) 1. Judah Mintz 2. JJ Starling 3. Justin Taylor 4. Chris Bell 5. Naheem McLeod
Here's Pitt's starting lineup for today's game at Syracuse. Zack Austin moves back into the starting five after two games working off the bench: Bub Carrington Ishmael Leggett Zack Austin Blake Hinson Guillermo Diaz Graham
Pittsburgh's starters v Syracuse: Blake Hinson, Ishmael Leggett, Carlton Carrington, Guillermo Diaz Graham and Zack Austin.
Game thread: Syracuse Orange (9-3) vs Pitt Panthers (9-3) https://t.co/ApjBAuIYFV via @NunesMagician
Syracuse's starting 5 v Pitt: Judah Mintz, JJ Starling, Chris Bell, Justin Taylor and Naheem McLeod.
Pitt starters today vs. Syracuse in the dome: Carrington, Hinson, Leggett, G. Diaz Graham and Austin
While he has hurt plenty of ACC opponents during his time at Pitt, Blake Hinson has played especially well against Syracuse. Hinson averaged 23.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists in the Panthers' two wins over the Orange last season.
Getting you ready for Syracuse’s game against Pittsburgh today at the Dome. https://t.co/ujp5wouFNi
Syracuse basketball vs. Pittsburgh: 5 Key Things to Know https://t.co/uQyFTTApAN https://t.co/XxklCfZfpg
Syracuse men’s basketball: what to watch for vs Pittsburgh https://t.co/vzB34i9yiI via @NunesMagician
How good is the Pittsburgh team that #Syracuse is hosting on Saturday? We asked @JimHammett from @PantherLair for a full scouting report on the Panthers. https://t.co/rNrbuA9uH0
Shot attempts were 39-6 and the Panthers had eight high-danger chances, per @NatStatTrick. https://t.co/Kl5Sxv1uRQ