EVANSTON, Ill. — Pitt led for just six seconds of the Panthers’ game against Northwestern in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge on Wednesday night, struggling throughout the game to break through against the Wildcats.
But they led for the only one that counts in the win-loss column. Justin Champagnie sent home a two-handed dunk on an assist from Xavier Johnson to cap Pitt’s first 20-point, 20-rebound game since 2009 and the Panthers went on to a 71-70 victory.
“That was just like a relief moment,” Champagnie said. “I felt like we worked for that. We wanted to win that game so bad. We went out there, we played our hearts out and it just happened. It was a good feeling.”
Hear more from Champagnie, Johnson and head coach Jeff Capel from the celebratory Pitt locker room after Pitt’s come-from-behind victory.
Ryan Young was getting open shots throughout the game by knocking Pitt defenders back with a shoulder to the chest. And we got no foul calls on these obvious charges. Then Ryan tried that on Hugley late in the second half. Hugley couldn’t be moved and Pitt got the ball. I see a great future for Hugley at Pitt. We’ve needed a physical presence under the boards and John brings it.
Ryan Young was getting open shots throughout the game by knocking Pitt defenders back with a shoulder to the chest. And we got no foul calls on these obvious charges. Then Ryan tried that on Hugley late in the second half. Hugley couldn’t be moved and Pitt got the ball. I see a great future for Hugley at Pitt. We’ve needed a physical presence under the boards and John brings it.