Pitt Drops Hard Fought Battle to VCU in Legends Classic

Thursday, November 17

Brooklyn, NY

7 PM

Pitt

1-3,0-0ACC

Virginia Commonwealth

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Pittsburgh

VCU

Pitt Drops Hard Fought Battle to VCU in Legends Classic

11/17/2022 10:38:00 PM | Men's Basketball

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NEW YORK – Four Panthers scored in double figures but Pitt was unable to overcome a late VCU charge and a sizable free throw discrepancy in a 71-67 loss Thursday night at the Barclays Center in the third place game of the Vivid Seat Legends Classic presented by Old Trapper.

Pitt used a season-best 14-0 run early in the second half to grab a 38-32 lead after trailing (30-24) at the halftime break. A steal and dunk from freshman Guillermo Diaz Graham capped the run and forced a VCU timeout. The Panthers carried a four-point lead, 60-56, into the final 2:15 of play before VCU went 11-of-13 from the free throw line to close the gap and grab the lead late in the contest.

The Rams went 26-of-35 from the foul line for the game, while Pitt was just 14-of-21 from the line against the aggressive VCU defense.

Blake Hinson helped spark the second half surge posting 14 of his 18 points after intermission. Jamarius Burton added 14 points, seven boards and four assists while Nelly Cummings contributed 11 points and two steals The Midland, Pa., native scored all of his points in the second half for the Panthers.

After struggling offensively in the first half and falling into early foul trouble, the Panthers found a spark in Jorge Diaz Graham as the 6-11 forward posted a career-best 10 points in 10 minutes. Jorge Diaz Graham knocked down a three-point field goal and was 5-of-7 from the foul line in the opening half.

The Diaz Graham brothers finished the night with a combined 17 points and 12 rebounds with 2022 Honorable Mention All-ACC forward John Hugley IV sidelined due to injury.

Pitt slipped to 1-3 on the season and 9-5 all-time in the Legends Classic.

Pitt is back in action Sunday, Nov. 20, at 2 p.m. as the Panthers take on Alabama State at the Petersen Events Center. The matchup with the Hornets marks the third of six games for the Panthers in a 13-day span.