Following an 80-63 demolition of the West Virginia Mountaineers Wednesday in the 190th Backyard Brawl, Pitt returned to the Petersen Events Center against an opponent with far less history between the two.
Pitt basketball improved to 7-3 on the season with an 82-71 win on the home hardwood. Canisius (6-5) entered the matchup with a 2-2 tie in the all-time series, winning the first matchup back in 1959.
The Panthers prevailed to win its second game in a row and won’t return to the hardwood until a week from now against South Carolina State.
Nothing Comes Easy
Before WVU, all of Pitt’s wins came against Quad 4 opponents. The Panthers trailed at halftime, 41-40, despite shooting 53.6% from the field. The Golden Griffins held the lead for 13:42 with most of the first half in their hands. Pitt entered action as 17.5-point favorites.
Jeff Capel’s team outscored Canisius 42-30 in the final 20 minutes, making 7 of 12 threes (58.3%) to clinch the win. Overall, Pitt shot 50% from behind the arc. Pitt embarked on a 9-0 run in the middle of second-half play and totaled 16 points off turnovers. The lead changed 15 times and was tied on eight occasions, but the Panthers did enough. Capel mentioned how an upcoming week-long break will be good for Pitt to get back to practice and have much-needed rest after three games in six days.
Energy From the Senior
It wasn’t ever in doubt, but Blake Hinson is the energizer bunny that keeps the Panthers humming. Hinson finished with a game-high 26 points on 8 of 13 shooting, including three triples. Hinson also was 7 of 7 at the free-throw line and +15 on the court.
The Panthers’ lone senior starter played a team-best 36 minutes and 41 seconds and recorded five rebounds. Capel continues to praise Hinson following games for his effort, leadership, and how other players on the team look up to the Preseason Second Team All-ACC performer. When the Panthers need a big play, Hinson is there to deliver. His consistency has been a critical aspect of Pitt’s 7-3 start and response following losses.
Late Charge Secures Seventh Victory
Despite flirting with disaster and a potential upset loss, the Panthers composed themselves in time to secure the victory. Pitt made seven consecutive shots after being down 59-56 with 9:04 remaining. The Panthers closed the game with an 11-point lead, the largest by any team on the night. Pitt also made its final four field goals and shot over 53% from the field in the final 20 minutes.
Zack Austin Nowhere to be Found in Second Half
Like all 10 games, Zack Austin started factored into the Panthers’ plans in the first half. That wasn’t the case in the second. Austin only saw fewer than six minutes of action (5:43) before being subbed out at the 4:21 mark of first-half action and never returned. He finished the game with two rebounds, one assist, but not one-shot attempt and zero points.
Capel called on Austin after the game to play better and have his motor revved up all the time, ready to go. Greater consistency from the High Point transfer is a necessity moving forward, something Capel was adamant about in his postgame presser. Austin entered the night averaging 7 points, 5.8 rebounds, a 39.2% shooting clip, and 24.8 minutes per game in nine starts. He also owns the second-most blocks on the Panthers with 14.
I am so proud of Jeff he made in game adjustments… keep it up coaching matters
Not one Pitt player has fouled out of a game this year. That indicates that he is making in game coaching decisions. He also realized that his team was tired and switched to zone defense and caught them off guard.
Takeaway: Without a 6th year Senior this team stinks.
That 6th year senior is HERE because of the coach. They also have the potential ACC rookie of the year. Now we will see if this team can be really good.
I can answer that. “No”.
How’s Schrewsbury doing in Happy Valley? Oops, gone to the ACC.
You’re a clown…………truly. You blather PSU nonsense at a Pitt grad. Did those rocks hitting you create diminished capacity? Anyone who would admit to being in the Band is clearly odd to begin with. In High School we’d stuff your ilk in the wastebasket. Sad little person
So says the second coming of Eeyore.