Pitt Basketball
Pitt Overcomes Rocky Start to Sweep Syracuse
PITTSBURGH — Sitting in a precarious position outside the NCAA Tournament bubble as the stretch run towards the postseason continues, Pitt was searching to stack wins when conference rival Syracuse entered the Petersen Events Center.
Pitt overcame a rocky start and utilized an exceptional second half shooting the ball to sweep Syracuse on the season with a 80-69 win Tuesday night.
BACK TO BACK PANTHER WINS 🔵🟡 #H2P pic.twitter.com/DiP4NRcLks
— Pitt Basketball (@Pitt_MBB) February 19, 2025
The Panthers (16-10, 7-8) trailed for over 27 minutes and starred down a 16-point deficit before turning it around in the second half led by veterans Zack Austin and Ishmael Leggett.
Austin and Leggett poured in 19 apiece as both knocked down three triples. Lowe added 17 points, while Cummings scored 11.
In the second half, Pitt shot 15-for-24 (62.5%) and 6-of-10 (60%) from deep, reversing the course of its poor offensive start.
Pitt’s comeback was also sparked by the shot blockers with Guillermo Diaz Graham swatting four looks and Austin denying three attempts. Syracuse did not block a shot.
The Orange (11-16, 5-11) relied on their deep ball, hitting a season-high 14 threes with Chris Bell connecting on seven that led to a game-high 23 points.
The common theme of sluggish starts continued for Pitt as Syracuse ran out to a quick 9-0 lead. Syracuse benefited from four Pitt turnovers as Starling, who averages 18.7 points per game, hit on a three and a driving layup.
It took over five minutes before the Panthers finally saw one go through the hoop as Zack Austin connected on a three. Brandin Cummings followed that up with his own triple, but the Panthers failed to score a point within the arc until the 9:36 mark of the first.
Following in the footsteps of several ACC opponents, Syracuse was scorching hot from beyond the arc in the first half at the Pete, shooting 9-of-16 (56.3%). Several threes came on open looks as Syracuse turned Pitt’s defense inside-out, but a few came late in the shot clock, including one from Chris Bell, who buried four triples himself.
11-0 run for the Orange 🎯
📺 @accnetwork x @Cuse_MBB
— ACC Men's Basketball (@accmbb) February 19, 2025
While Pitt could not limit Syracuse’s 3-point outburst, the Panthers’ defense shut down a handful of Orange opportunities inside, including a trio of blocks from Guillermo Diaz Graham. The heightened intensity in the paint turned to offense for the Panthers.
Leggett found his scoring touch with consecutive mid-range jumpers and Diaz Graham received a friendly rim as his three cut the Syracuse lead to 30-24.
As Syracuse rose back up by double digits, Pitt deployed the press after the under-four media timeout. The aggressive approach forced a pair of turnovers. Austin and Jaland Lowe scored late in the half, allowing the Panthers to regroup at the half down by seven, 41-34.
Syracuse scored the first four points of the second half, but Leggett would propel Pitt with a 6-0 run that saw him finished on an old-fashioned three-point play and then bury a corner three.
Ish up to 12 points 🙌 & 3 rebounds
… including this tough finish 😤#H2P / 📺 @accnetwork pic.twitter.com/jhlKDgilEX
— Pitt Basketball (@Pitt_MBB) February 19, 2025
Triples from Diaz Graham and Austin brought the Panthers within reach before Lowe tied to game for the first time since the opening 10 seconds of the game.
The guard duo of Lowe and Leggett continued to drive the Pitt momentum as the Panthers grabbed their first lead of the contest. Lowe hit a pair of mid-range baskets before Leggett buried two pivotal threes from the right wing as Pitt jumped on a 10-0 run and extended its lead 63-56.
As Syracuse attempted its own version of a comeback, Pitt stayed consistent on the offensive side with Cummings driving to the hoop, absorbing the contact and scoring. He would add to that effort at the free-throw line before Austin sank a mid-range shot and would throw down a vicious slam minutes later to cap off the Panthers victory.
Pitt will travel to South Bend, Ind. to take on Notre Dame this Saturday. Tip is set for 2:15 p.m.
