Pitt
(12-6) (2-3)
Syracuse
(13-5) (4-1)
Pitt Falls at Syracuse, 74-63
1/19/2019 4:30:00 PM | Men's Basketball
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) Tyus Battle scored 22 points and freshman Buddy Boeheim had a season-high 13 points as Syracuse beat Pitt 74-63 on Saturday.
After taking down No. 1 Duke in overtime on the road Monday night, the Orange (13-5, 4-1 ACC) took control over the Panthers with a 22-4 surge in a span of just over seven minutes in the second half.
Pitt (12-6, 2-3 ACC) was coming off a 75-62 home win over No. 11 Florida State on Monday, its first victory over a ranked team in nearly two years. But the Panthers still haven't mastered the road. They've lost 17 consecutive road games, including 14 in ACC play. Pitt's last road win was an 83-72 victory against Boston College nearly two years ago.
Jared Wilson-Frame led Pitt with 19 points and freshman Xavier Johnson had 17. The other two-thirds of Pitt's standout freshman trio, Trey McGowens and Au'Diese Toney, didn't fare so well against the Syracuse zone, which registered 10 blocks. McGowens, who suffered an injury near his right eye in the first half, finished with seven points. Toney also had seven as they combined to shoot just 5 of 23.
The Orange finished 12 of 26 beyond the arc against the Panthers, who were 10 of 30 from long range.
With Syracuse clinging to a 28-25 halftime lead, both teams struggled to start the second, Pitt finally getting its first points of the period on a tip-in by Malik Ellison. That was Pitt's lone basket in the first seven minutes as the Orange went on a 12-0 run to stretch their lead to 13 points.
Pitt faced large deficits in both halves but showed grit instilled by first-year head coach Jeff Capel to stay in the game. The Panthers used a 9-0 spurt to close the first period, keyed by 3-pointers from Johnson and Wilson-Frame. Utilizing a small lineup, Pitt also had a 16-5 run late in the second half to pull within 64-55 but never seriously threatened Syracuse down the stretch.
BIG PICTURE
Pitt: The Panthers, who went winless in the conference last season, are well ahead of last year under Capel, but they have to figure out a way to win on the road to take that next step.
Syracuse: The Orange had to take advantage of their big overtime victory at top-ranked Duke on Monday. Games against two more ranked teams loom - Virginia Tech on the road and Florida State at home - to provide more chances to beef up the Orange's resume for postseason consideration.
UP NEXT
Pitt: Hosts Duke on Tuesday night.
Syracuse: Hosts Miami on Thursday night.
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