Strong Second Half Propels Pitt Past Syracuse

Tuesday, January 25

Pittsburgh, Pa.

8 PM

Pitt

8-12,3-6ACC

Syracuse

9-11,3-6ACC

Syracuse

Pittsburgh

Photo by: Alex Mowrey/Pitt Athletics

Strong Second Half Propels Pitt Past Syracuse

1/25/2022 10:16:00 PM | Men's Basketball

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PITTSBURGH – After shooting just 21.9% from the field in the first half, the Pitt men's basketball team more than doubled its percentage in the second, shooting 50% with six threes to defeat Syracuse at home, 64-53, Tuesday evening at the Petersen Events Center.

Two Panthers recorded doubles, with graduate student Mouhamadou Gueye registering 19 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks while sophomore John Hugley had 11 points and a career-high 18 boards. Senior Jamarius Burton added 21 points, six rebounds and five assists while senior Onyebuchi Ezeakudo was crucial down the stretch, scoring a career-high 11 points with a career-best three three-pointers.

Pitt improved to 8-12 overall and 3-6 in ACC play while Syracuse fell to 9-11 overall and 3-6 in league action.

Hugley was dominant on the glass early, totaling five rebounds – compared to Syracuse's six as a team - heading into the first media timeout. Syracuse connected from deep four times within the first 10 minutes of play and led 16-10 halfway through the half.

After the Orange extended their lead to 10 (21-11), the Panthers roared back and used a 9-0 run to cut the deficit to one. The Pitt defense kept Syracuse to just one three in the final 10 minutes of the half and trailed 28-24 at the break.

Hugley finished the half one rebound shy of his career-high (13). He set a new career best in offensive boards with eight and added seven points to his stat line. Pitt trailed only two possessions despite shooting 21.9% (7-32) from the field.

Both teams traded baskets early in the second half with Pitt tying the game at 37-37 at the 14:22 mark after a Gueye dunk. After Syracuse regained a three point advantage (40-37), the Panthers orchestrated a 10-0 run with sophomore Femi Odukale converting a bucket off a foul to sway the momentum to Pitt and lead 47-40.

Pitt's second half surge was fueled by multiple Panthers with Ezeakudo's standing out with a clutch three-pointer at the 8:02 mark to put Pitt back up seven, 52-45. After missing the first free throw attempt of the second half, Pitt went 8-for-8 down the stretch with Burton making four to help seal the victory.

For the game, Pitt shot 34.5% (20-58) from the field and a season-best 85% (17-20) from the foul line. Pitt's 45 rebounds were also the second most this season.

The Panthers travel to Boston College Saturday, Jan. 29 with tipoff slated for 4 p.m. on the ACC Network. Four of Pitt's next five games are on the road, with the lone home contest Saturday, Feb. 5 versus Virginia Tech at 7 p.m.