Big Second Half Propels Pitt to 73-54 Win Over Alabama State

Sunday, November 20

Pittsburgh, PA

2 PM

Pitt

2-3,0-0ACC

Alabama State

0-5,0-0SWAC

Alabama St.

Pittsburgh

Big Second Half Propels Pitt to 73-54 Win Over Alabama State

11/20/2022 5:28:00 PM | Men's Basketball

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PITTSBURGH – Pitt overcame a slow shooting start in the first half and a brief double-figure deficit en route to a 73-54 win over visiting Alabama State Sunday afternoon at the Petersen Events Center. The Panthers made seven three-point field goals in the second half and outscored the Hornets, 42-20, after intermission to snap a three-game losing skid.

Blake Hinson finished with a game-high 21 points to go along with five rebounds and four steals, while Nike Sibande came off the bench to deliver 17 points, four rebounds and three assists. The Indianapolis, Ind., native knocked down a pair of three-point field goals and was 5-of-5 from the foul line for the game. He scored 11 points in the second half of play, including a fast break dunk in the final 90 seconds of action to help punctuate the win for the Panthers.

Trailing 36-34 at the 17:25 mark, Pitt went on a 26-2 run over 8:44 of play to grab control of the game. The Panthers went 11-of-12 from the field, including 7-of-8 from three-point range during the decisive second half run. John Hugley IV's three at the 7:30 mark gave Pitt a 64-39 advantage.

The Panthers defense locked in during the second half run limiting Alabama State to 1-of-22 shooting from the field over a 10-minute stretch. The Hornets shot just 24.3 percent (9-of-37) from the field after halftime, including 1-of-13 (.077) from three-point range.

Pitt controlled the interior behind the play of Hugley IV, Hinson, and Jorge Diaz Graham. Pitt posted a 47-36 rebounding advantage, while scoring 30 points in the paint. Hugley IV finished with 10 points, nine rebounds (6 offensive boards), and two blocks, while Jorge Diaz Graham posted nine points, a season-high eight rebounds and two blocks.

NO FIRST START NERVES FOR JDG
Jorge Diaz Graham made his first career start and made an immediate impact for the Panthers. He hit an early three to help give the Panthers a 10-2 advantage before being forced to the bench with his second foul of the half at the 16:35 mark. The 6-11, forward sparked the second half run with another three-point field goal, seven rebounds and two blocks after halftime. Diaz Graham finished with a team-best plus/minus of +28 in 19:16 of play.

TALE OF TWO HALVES
Pitt's +22 turnaround from a three-point halftime deficit to the 19-point victory is tied for the fourth largest turnaround in program history. The Panthers shot 51.7 percent (15-of-29) from the field, including 7-of-14 (.500) from three in the second half after going 11-of-33 (.333) form the field and 3-of-15 (.200) from three in the opening 20 minutes.

INJURY UPDATES
Hugley IV returned to action after missing Pitt's game against VCU. He has missed three of the Panthers five games this season … Jamarius Burton missed the game due to knee inflammation, snapping a string of 30 consecutive starts … William Jeffress remains sidelined with a foot injury suffered in late July.

UP NEXT
Pitt returns to action Tuesday, Nov. 22 at the Petersen Events Center against visiting FDU … the Panthers will be playing their fourth game in a seven-day span.