Pitt’s Season Ends with ACC Tourney Loss to NC State

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Pitt’s run in the ACC Tournament ended after two games, as the Panthers dropped a 73-58 decision to NC State in the second round at Greensboro Coliseum on Wednesday.

Pitt trailed throughout, but was able to stick with the Wolfpack in the first half, trailing but just three at the break.

But an early second-half flagrant foul called on point guard Xavier Johnson set the Panthers back. Johnson accrued his fourth personal foul on the play and left the game with 15:24 to play in the second period and did not return for nearly half the period.

With Johnson on the bench, and wing Au’Diese Toney already limited by an ankle injury suffered in Tuesday’s first-round win over Wake Forest, the Wolfpack extended its lead from four points to 10 by the time Johnson returned to the game. Even with Johnson back in the game, Pitt couldn’t mount a comeback charge against NC State.

Much of Pitt’s problems were self-inflicted as the Panthers turned the ball over 14 times, giving NC State 24 points off turnovers.

The Wolfpack, playing for its NCAA Tournament life, shot 47.5% from the floor, while Pitt hit just 35% of its shots.

Johnson led Pitt with 15 points, while Trey McGowens had 12. Freshman Justin Champagnie, coming off a 31-point performance against Wake Forest, was held to just nine, all of which came in the first half.

NC State will move on to face Duke in the ACC quarterfinals. Pitt (16-17) will see its 2019-20 season come to a close.