Trey McGowens Leads Pitt to 56-53 Win over Notre Dame

PITTSBURGH — Mired in a long second-half slump, Pitt freshman guard Trey McGowens broke out in a big way in Saturday’s 56-53 win over Notre Dame at Petersen Events Center.

McGowens scored 16 points, his most since Jan. 14, to lead the Panthers to a senior day victory over the Irish and break a 13-game losing streak.

The Panthers also got strong performances from Jared Wilson-Frame, who had 12 points, and Xavier Johnson, who scored 10.

But the hero was McGowens, who not only reversed his slump, but did it emphatically. A first-half slam dunk over Notre Dame star John Mooney was part of a 10-0 run that got the Panthers back into the game after an early 12-point deficit.

His re-emergence as a third scoring option was key for the Panthers, who were able to attack Notre Dame’s shorthanded lineup, which played only six players more than 10 minutes.

The Panthers were able to hold Mooney to four points on 1 of 11 shooting, his worst performance in conference play this season.

The win kept the Panthers out of last place in the ACC and Pitt enters the ACC tournament as the No. 14 seed.