Slow Start Dooms Panthers In Loss To No. 22/19 Clemson

CLEMSON, S.C. – Pitt shot just 21 percent in the first half and could not overcome a 17-point halftime deficit in a 63-52 loss to No. 22 Clemson on Saturday afternoon at Littlejohn Coliseum.

The Panthers (9-13, 2-7 ACC) showed fight in the second half, outscoring the Tigers 36-30 while shooting 56 percent from the field. A 10-0 run, fueled by a pair of Damarco Minor three-pointers, trimmed a 20-point deficit to 10 with just over two minutes remaining, but Pitt was unable to draw any closer.

Roman Siulepa and Minor each scored 12 points to lead the Panthers. Siulepa was efficient from the floor, shooting 5-of-7, and added nine rebounds with five coming on the offensive glass. It was Siulepa's fourth straight game with at least five offensive rebounds and a total of 29 over the last four games. He came up one rebound shy of his fourth straight double double.

Cameron Corhen added nine points and three rebounds, while Omari Witherspoon contributed eight points, four rebounds and two blocked shots.

Pitt struggled from the perimeter throughout the game, finishing 5-of-26 (19.2 percent) from three-point range. The Panthers were 2-of-18 from beyond the arc in the first half, including 1-of-16 before Minor's step back three broke the drought late in the period.

Clemson (18-4, 8-1 ACC) used a balanced offensive attack with Nick Davidson and Carter Welling each scoring 12 points. The Tigers shot 46 percent from the field and connected on 8-of-21 three-pointers. Clemson also made 17-of-20 free throws (85 percent).

The Panthers dominated the offensive glass, holding a 16-5 advantage in offensive rebounds, but were unable to overcome their shooting woes.

Pitt got off to a slow start, falling behind 18-11 after shooting 25 percent from the field over the opening 12 minutes. The Tigers extended their lead to 25-13 midway through the half and took a 33-16 advantage into the break.

The Panthers opened the second half with renewed energy. Siulepa scored the first five points of the period, including a three-pointer from the top of the key, to spark a 10-2 Pitt run that cut the deficit to nine at 35-26.

Clemson steadied itself and rebuilt its lead to 20 at 62-42 on a Nick Davidson three-pointer with 4:57 remaining. But the Panthers refused to fold, reeling off 10 consecutive points – capped by back-to-back Minor threes – to make it 62-52 with 2:18 to play.

The Tigers, however, closed out the win from the free-throw line, and the Panthers could not convert on their final possessions.

With the loss, Pitt falls to 0-6 all-time at Littlejohn Coliseum. Clemson has now won 15 consecutive games in the series.

Pitt returns to action on Tuesday at Virginia as the Panthers continue their road swing. Tip time is set for 9 p.m. on ACC Network.