Pitt handled Purdue Fort Wayne, 62-48, on a poor night of offense at the Petersen Events Center. The Panthers limited the No. 14 team in the country in offense to 34% from the field and 5 of 26 (19%) behind the arc, including 1 of 13 in the first half. Pitt (9-2, 0-1 ACC) also shot 1 of 13 through 20 minutes but did enough to secure a win in the final non-conference game of the season.
The Mastodons (11-2, 2-0 Horizon) had no answers on the offensive end after coming into the game averaging 86.8 points per game and an opening-night win facing DePaul under their belt. Pitt found enough offense to close 2023 7-2 at home.
Guillermo’s Game
Guillermo Diaz Graham has steadily improved his game through each contest this season. Diaz Graham led the Panthers in scoring (nine) and rebounding (six) through the first half. He added 20 pounds in the offseason and is a more noticeable threat with his back to the basket and close to the rim.
No. 25 recorded a team-high 13 points plus eight rebounds and three assists in 31 minutes. Diaz Graham entered the starting lineup, along with Will Jeffress, in replacement for Zack Austin and Fede Federiko. He’s taken advantage of the opportunity and scored in double figures for the fourth time. Guillermo is now averaging 7.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists through 12 games.
Austin Up for the Task
Zack Austin has been challenged by Jeff Capel to “play better” and provide more consistent effort after only playing under six minutes He drained Pitt’s first three after 19 minutes without one. Austin finished in double-figures for the second game in a row after being benched. He responded against the Mastodons with 12 points on four made baskets and three free throws, plus six rebounds and two assists.
With 13:34 to go in regulation, Austin threw a hard pass like a quarterback throwing across the middle that sailed out of bounds. On back-to-back possessions, Austin and Ishmael Leggett threw football-type passes too far from their intended target for back-to-back turnovers. That was the only blemish on his resume. He converted on a nifty layup, plus the foul, and added the free throw with over eight minutes left to punctuate his performance. Add on a dunk for Pitt’s second-to-last points of the game. It was one of his best performances as a Panther, full of grit, positive emotion, and playing with force.
“Playing hard, doing what I do best,” Austin said on what he’s trying to do better. “Just keeping my head on straight.”
Federiko Still Trying to Find His Game
It hasn’t been the type of season many expected from junior center Federiko Federiko. Following a breakout year in his first year as a Panther, Federiko entered play averaging 5.6 points and 5.1 rebounds. He was relegated to the bench and out of the starting five against South Carolina State. That continued Tuesday against the Mastodons.
Federiko was standing alone on the block following an offensive rebound and had his back to the basket. Didn’t realize he could turn around and dunk the ball. He picked up his first foul in the second half when stranded in a pick-and-roll situation on the perimeter and bumped into the ball handler in an awkward play. Federiko responded on the next offensive possession by drawing a foul and converting on both free throws. The 6-foot-11 big closed the night with five points and more fouls (two) than rebounds (one) in nine minutes.
“The Cobra”
A pretty cool note from Purdue Fort Wayne head coach Jon Coffman. When he was coaching at Stetson, Blake Hinson attended his basketball camps when he was very young and had the nickname “cobra” on the back of his shirt. Small world. The Mastodons held Hinson to a season-low five points, the first time he hasn’t scored in double figures this season. Hinson added 10 rebounds in the Pitt victory.
PFW didn’t play the patsy last night, if not for the stout defense, the Panthers could have been losers. Every Mastodon was giving up size to their opponent especially the 5’8” point guard. They clogged the passing lanes except down the paint. It seemed everyone had a layup in the first half. That was the decisive point. A good win on a BAD shooting night.