PITTSBURGH — The game between Pitt and No. 7 Duke on Wednesday at Petersen Events Center was essentially decided within the first two and a half minutes, as the Panthers turned the ball over three times, missed their only shot and the Blue Devils led by 10 points.
Duke continued the trend of dominance — though not quite at that rate — throughout 40 minutes of play as the Blue Devils completely outclassed the Panthers in an 87-52 victory.
Pitt started five freshmen for the third straight game, and the young Panthers got a rude awakening to the realities of facing an opponent with six five-star prospects that was selected as the team to beat in the ACC in the league’s preseason poll.
Duke’s Marvin Bagley III, the preseason ACC Rookie of the year, scored 16 points to lead the Blue Devils, but it was a team effort, as Gary Trent (14), Trevon Duval (14), Grayson Allen (11) Justin Robinson (10) and Wendell Carter, Jr. (10) all finished in double figures.
The Blue Devils shot 53.1 percent from the floor, the third straight opponent that made more than half of its baskets against the Panthers. When the Blue Devils missed, they cleaned up with 16 offensive rebounds.
Jared Wilson-Frame was Pitt’s leading scorer with 17 points. Parker Stewart scored 10 points to extend his streak to 10 straight games with 10 or more points.
Kene Chukwuka provided an energy spark with eight points and four rebounds off the bench. Marcus Carr, Khameron Davis, Parkers Stewart, Shamiel Stevenson and Peace Ilegomah started for the Panthers.
