PITTSBURGH — The first time Pitt played Clemson this season, when the Panthers traveled to South Carolina, Pitt started cold, the Tigers made just about everything they shot and opened up a huge first-half lead that the Panthers were never able to overcome.
Wednesday night, when Clemson visited Petersen Events Center, the exact same thing happened.
The Tigers made 9 of their first 12 shots, scored the first 10 points of the game, and opened up a huge lead before closing out a 62-48 victory.
Pitt trailed by 22 at halftime and 26 early in the second half before rallying to close the gap to as little as nine down the stretch, but never got closer than that.
The Tigers’ hot shooting from the start mostly stayed with them throughout the game, as they finished 10 of 25 (40 percent) from 3-point range.
Robert Morris transfer Marcquise Reed had 12 points and seven rebounds and forward Elijah Thomas had 12 points and eight rebounds to lead the Tigers.
Xavier Johnson led Pitt with 14 points on 4 of 9 shooting. Terrell Brown added 11 points, mostly from the free-throw line, where he was 7 of 8. He shot just 2 of 8 from the floor.
Pitt as a team shot 27.3 percent from the floor and 21.4 percent form 3-point range in the game.
The loss was the Panthers’ 11th straight. They will visit No. 2 Virginia on Saturday.
I like the fight in these young men, just wish the inside presence were better. Looking ahead Pitt could use some shooters, Div.1 bigs and experience. I am pleased for the future.