CLEMSON, S.C. — The first half of Saturday’s regular-season finale between Pitt and Clemson and Pitt was an offensive affair, with both teams shooting better than 50 percent from the floor.
In the second half, the Tigers continued the swish parade, making 66.7% of their shots in the game’s final 20 minutes.
The Panthers did not.
Pitt’s offense couldn’t keep pace and the Panthers never found a defensive solution for the Tigers, losing 77-62.
Clemson started the shot-making exhibition from the very start as the Tigers made five of their first seven, including their first three from 3-point range. Al-Amir Dawes was the most consistent Clemson performer, scoring 21 points while shooting 7 of 10 overall and 5 of 8 from beyond the 3-point arc.
As a team, Clemson finished with a. 55.8% shooting percentage and tied a season high as a team with 12 made 3-pointers. The Tigers shot 48% from beyond the 3-point line despite entering at 209th in the nation with a 33.1% success rate from long range.
Justin Champagnie led the Panthers with 13 points, but was limited in minutes due to some early foul trouble.
The Panthers kept themselves in the game while Champagnie was quiet in the first half with a balanced attack. Ithiel Horton (11), Femi Odukale (nine), Abdoul Karim Coulibaly (seven), Nike Sibande (seven) and Gerald Drumgoole (five) all had five or more points.
Clemson’s shooting percentage was the highest for a Pitt ACC opponent this season and came on the heels of stronger defensive performances for Pitt against Florida State, NC State and Wake Forest.
Pitt finished its regular season with a 10-11 record and a 6-10 mark in ACC play. The Panthers will play on the first day of the 2021 ACC Tournament, which begins Tuesday, March 9 in Greensboro, N.C.
