PITTSBURGH — Pitt’s first action against someone not in blue and gold ended in a blowout fashion. After a competitive first half against the visiting Point Park, the Panthers used tough defense and all-around production to win 93-62.
Both teams got off to a slow start, as the game was scoreless for the first two minutes of action.
Then, Ishmael Leggett (15 first-half points) opened the game with a driving layup, ending the scoring drought. Pitt would go on to grab an early 13-4 lead after Guillermo Diaz Graham made his first triple of the night. However, Point Park responded with its own 8-0 run including two threes.
Point Park utilized the long ball throughout the first half to keep them within striking distance, at one point having 50 percent of its makes from distance (5 out of 10). A pull-up three by Kaden Warner brought the Pioneers within one (23-24), but that would be the closest they would be for the remainder of the game.
After the under-eight media timeout, Pitt outscored Point Park 21-17, with the Panthers doing most of their damage from the free throw line. Over the last 6:42, Pitt took 9 of its 13 first-half free throws, getting to the line 11 more times than Point Park. With that production, the Panthers took a 50-42 lead into the second half.
To start the next 20 minutes, Cameron Corhen made consecutive buckets, followed by a Jaland Lowe layup. The Panthers quickly grabbed an 18-point lead five minutes into the second half after a jumper by Leggett. Overall, the second half had a much different complexion defensively for Pitt, as they held Point Park to 28.1 percent shooting and gave up only one three.
Pitt ended the final 15 minutes of action on a 29-16 run, bringing the final score to 93-62
Leggett finished the night with an efficient 24 points (8-of-9 overall, 3-for-3 from three), followed by his backcourt mate Lowe’s 22. The second-half star Corhen ended with a 14-point double (12 points in the second half), and freshman Brandin Cummings with 8 points on 3-of-7 shooting.
The leading scorer for the Pioneers was Warner with 13 points on 18 field goals.
Huge win!!! Come on Capel. Grow a set and play Duquesne!
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