COLUMBUS, OH. — Following Friday’s win over Ohio State, Pitt players Zack Austin and Papa Amadou Kante joined the media for postgame press conferences. Check out the videos of both players below.
Austin said that that was the first game-winning shot he has ever made.
Kante checked in with 18:59 remaining in the game, and the Panthers, almost immediately, went on a big run. Pitt scored 17 of the next 23 points in the game, and extended its run to 15-0 at one point.
Kante made his first two field goals, including an and-one layup in the paint. He also drained all three of his first three free-throw attempts, making big shot after big shot for the Panthers as they mounted their comeback. After Corhen checked back in for Pitt, head coach Jeff Capel sent Kante to the bench. However, it wasn’t for long. The redshirt freshman checked back in with 6 minutes to play after resting for four minutes. After turning the ball over, Kante grabbed two offensive rebounds for Pitt with less than four minutes to play. He went to the free-throw line for a 1-and-1 opportunity, and hit another layup as well down the stretch.
Kante made an impact in the final minute of the game — the most intense moments of the day. After contesting a shot on defense and forcing a miss, Kante grabbed an offensive rebound on the ensuing possession that led to a Pitt basket from Jaland Lowe. In overtime, Kante made another free throw, before fouling out minutes later. He finished with 12 points and four rebounds for the Panthers.
Pitt battled the Buckeyes throughout the entire game, falling behind by nine at halftime. The Panthers had ten players contribute in the game, with Marlon Barnes Jr. and Jorge Diaz Graham checking in late to foul. In addition, guard Amsal Delalic earned his first start of the year, filling in for the injured Damian Dunn.
Pitt now has wins over high-major teams West Virginia, LSU, and Ohio State on its early-season resume. The Panthers will now travel to Mississippi State to take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the ACC/SEC Challenge before beginning ACC play with an away game against Virginia Tech to launch the conference slate.
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