Pitt
16-14,7-12ACC
NC State
12-18,5-14ACC
Panthers Fall at NC State, 71-63
3/5/2025 9:40:00 PM | Men's Basketball
RALEIGH, N.C. – Pitt battled back from a double-digit second half deficit and entered the final five minutes of action locked in on a one-score game before NC State pulled away for a 71-63 win Wednesday evening at the Lenovo Center. Jaland Lowe led the Panthers with 20 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, and two steals but it wasn't enough to overcome 10 three-point field goals and a pair of key offensive rebounds late in the game by the Wolfpack.
Cameron Corhen added 13 points and Ishmael Leggett went 3-of-4 from three-point range in a 12-point, 6-rebound effort.
NC State jumped out to a 34-30 halftime lead as the Wolfpack went 7-of-15 (.467) from three-point range. Breon Pass set a career high with three three-pointers to lead NC State in the opening half.
Corhen went 4-of-6 from the field for eight points and Amsal Delalic came off the bench to contribute seven points in the half as the Panthers were plagued by eight turnovers as well as five missed layups/dunks before the break. Leggett had six points but was limited to just 11 minutes of action due to foul trouble.
The Wolfpack scored the first seven points of the second half to grab a double-digit lead before the Panthers clawed back with a 7-0 run to get to 46-42 with 11:43 remaining. Leggett buried a three-pointer between free throws from Lowe and Corhen during the surge.
Lowe converted a three-point play with 4:56 remaining as the Panthers pulled to within 55-54. Pitt forced an errant shot the next trip down the floor, but Ben Middlebrooks corralled the offensive board and threw in a short jump hook with a foul on the play.
Leggett drilled a three with 3:16 remaining to pull the Panthers within two but NC State answered back with a late shot clock three of their own on the next possession.
Lowe pulled the margin back to three with a driving layup with just over two minutes remaining but NC State went 8-of-8 from the free throw line down the stretch to seal the win.
50-50
Austin recorded a blocked shot in the opening minutes of action to become just the fifth player (six times) to record at least 50 three-point field goals and 50 blocks in a season. The Winston-Salem, N.C., native joins Shane Battier (2x), Danny Green, PJ Hall, and Quinten Post to accomplish that feat.
UP NEXT
Pitt wraps up the regular season Saturday, March 8, at the Petersen Events Center against Boston College (6 p.m. – ACC Network). The Panthers will honor three senior managers as well as Zack Austin, Ishmael Leggett, and Vason Stevenson prior to the game. Senior Day recognition will be live streamed HERE.
