Thursday, December 9
Pittsburgh, Pa.
8 PM
Pitt
3-6,0-1ACC
71
vs
68
Colgate
4-6,0-0Patriot
1
2
F
Colgate
33
35
68
Pittsburgh
31
40
71
Photo by: Alex Mowrey/Pitt Athletics
Late Game Defensive Stops Propel Pitt to 71-68 Win Over Colgate
12/9/2021 10:53:00 PM | Men's Basketball
PITTSBURGH – Sophomore Femi Odukale blocked a Nelly Cumming's jumper with two seconds left and the Panthers held on to defeat Colgate, 71-68, at the Petersen Events Center Thursday evening.
Sophomore John Hugley led all scorers with 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting. He also totaled seven rebounds, two blocks and two steals. Senior Jamarius Burton had 13 points and five boards, while graduate student Mouhamadou Gueye scored 10 points with six rebounds and two blocks.
Pitt (3-6) opened play with a 10-2 run as Gueye and Burton each hit a three in the opening 2:11 of play. Onyebuchi Ezeakudo made Pitt's third three of the half to put Pitt up 17-10 with 12 and a half left in the first.
Colgate (4-6) used an 11-2 run over the course of three minutes to take its first lead of the evening, 21-19. The Raiders led by as much as four points six different times in the remaining 7:37 of action before Pitt closed it to a 33-31, two point deficit at the break.
Burton had nine points and three boards, while freshman Nate Santos scored six of Pitt's final eight points of the first half. The Panthers shot 40% (12-30) in the first half compared to Colgate's 42% (12-28), while Pitt narrowly led the rebound margin 17-16.
The Panthers opened the second half with aggressive defense, tallying two steals and forcing three turnovers as Pitt went on a 12-1 run to lead 43-34 into the first media timeout of the half. Pitt bumped the lead to 11 (47-36) before the Raiders slowly chipped away making it a two-point, 51-49 ballgame at the under 12 media timeout.
Hugley helped fuel a second half surge, scoring eight of Pitt's next 11 points to aid the Panthers to a 58-53 lead with 7:53 to play. Both teams traded baskets in a back-and-forth affair before the Raiders tied it up at 64-64 with 2:36 left.
Colgate took its first lead of the second half at the 1:53 mark, as Nelly Cummings made a step-back jumper to put the Raiders up 66-64. With the Raiders leading 68-65, Gueye drove the paint and converted a layup while being fouled, ultimately going to the line for a chance to tie the game. He made his free throw and the game was knotted up at 68-68 with 51 seconds left.
Cumming's attempted and missed a quick three after the ensuing timeout and the Panthers grabbed the rebound, taking possession with 40 seconds left. Hugley took the ball inside the paint and made a quick move toward the basket and converted a layup – his 22nd point of the game – to put Pitt up 70-68 with 19 seconds to spare. Cummings's drove the basket on Colgate's next possession, but Odukale blocked the shot and Jeffress gathered the loose rebound, making one of two free throws on the other end. A last second three was no good as Pitt held on for the three-point victory.
Pitt finished 43.6% (24-55) from the field. The Panthers outrebounded the Raiders 35-28 for the contest.
The Panthers stay at home and next host Monmouth in game number two of the Gotham Classic. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. on the ACC Network.
Sophomore John Hugley led all scorers with 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting. He also totaled seven rebounds, two blocks and two steals. Senior Jamarius Burton had 13 points and five boards, while graduate student Mouhamadou Gueye scored 10 points with six rebounds and two blocks.
Pitt (3-6) opened play with a 10-2 run as Gueye and Burton each hit a three in the opening 2:11 of play. Onyebuchi Ezeakudo made Pitt's third three of the half to put Pitt up 17-10 with 12 and a half left in the first.
Colgate (4-6) used an 11-2 run over the course of three minutes to take its first lead of the evening, 21-19. The Raiders led by as much as four points six different times in the remaining 7:37 of action before Pitt closed it to a 33-31, two point deficit at the break.
Burton had nine points and three boards, while freshman Nate Santos scored six of Pitt's final eight points of the first half. The Panthers shot 40% (12-30) in the first half compared to Colgate's 42% (12-28), while Pitt narrowly led the rebound margin 17-16.
The Panthers opened the second half with aggressive defense, tallying two steals and forcing three turnovers as Pitt went on a 12-1 run to lead 43-34 into the first media timeout of the half. Pitt bumped the lead to 11 (47-36) before the Raiders slowly chipped away making it a two-point, 51-49 ballgame at the under 12 media timeout.
Hugley helped fuel a second half surge, scoring eight of Pitt's next 11 points to aid the Panthers to a 58-53 lead with 7:53 to play. Both teams traded baskets in a back-and-forth affair before the Raiders tied it up at 64-64 with 2:36 left.
Colgate took its first lead of the second half at the 1:53 mark, as Nelly Cummings made a step-back jumper to put the Raiders up 66-64. With the Raiders leading 68-65, Gueye drove the paint and converted a layup while being fouled, ultimately going to the line for a chance to tie the game. He made his free throw and the game was knotted up at 68-68 with 51 seconds left.
Cumming's attempted and missed a quick three after the ensuing timeout and the Panthers grabbed the rebound, taking possession with 40 seconds left. Hugley took the ball inside the paint and made a quick move toward the basket and converted a layup – his 22nd point of the game – to put Pitt up 70-68 with 19 seconds to spare. Cummings's drove the basket on Colgate's next possession, but Odukale blocked the shot and Jeffress gathered the loose rebound, making one of two free throws on the other end. A last second three was no good as Pitt held on for the three-point victory.
Pitt finished 43.6% (24-55) from the field. The Panthers outrebounded the Raiders 35-28 for the contest.
The Panthers stay at home and next host Monmouth in game number two of the Gotham Classic. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. on the ACC Network.
Team Stats
Colg
Pitt
FG%
.415
.436
3FG%
.261
.267
FT%
.783
.704
RB
28
35
TO
12
11
STL
5
5
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
22
FGM
8
3FGM
0
FTM
6
Pts
13
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Pts
10
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Players Mentioned
G
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