PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – There is only one more opportunity to watch Blake Hinson at home in the regular season. The penultimate game another memorable moment as the Panthers senior set the Pitt all-time record of three-pointers in a season in an 88-73 win over Florida State Tuesday at the Petersen Events Center.
“It does mean a lot,” Hinson said of the record. “When I came back, I wanted to come back with a purpose. Do things and give back to the City what it’s given to me. The City witnessing that make me proud of myself and proud I got to give that to the fans.”
The first field goal of the game was a Hinson three, he would make four of his game-high six in the second half as the Panthers mostly maintained a double-digit second half lead to earn a 20th win.
Jaland Lowe's 10 assists is the first time a #Pitt player has had double-digit assists in a game since the season opener when Bub Carrington had a triple-double. It’s Lowe’s first career double-double, adding 17 points with only two turnovers.
“Trusting my instincts, having guys and a coaching staff that trusts me to do the right thing, make the right play,” Lowe said. “Just having teammates that have full belief.”
“It’s a testament to Jaland and to how much he’s grown,” said Pitt head coach Jeff Capel. “The confidence he has. The believe that we have in him. He knows that. He feels that. I love to hear him saying his instincts because that’s one of the things we’ve talked to him about.”
Carrington had 12 points, six rebounds and four assists. Ishmael Leggett had 10 points and five rebounds. Panthers made 11, threes, but also had a 12-point advantage in points in the paint.
It’s the first time Pitt basketball has back-to-back 20-win seasons in a decade.
“That’s a testament to (Pitt Athletic Director) Heather (Lyke), Chancellor Gallagher and now our new chancellor, the Board of Trustees, our staff and the guys that we’ve been able to recruit,” Capel said. “We’ve taken a lot of lumps, but we continue to show up.”
“One of the things we talk about in our program is to show up. It would have been very easy for all of us to walk away or to give into it. I’ve had unbelievable support and I’m grateful.”
“First time in a decade, that’s pretty cool, but I want more.”
Hinson milestones
With his 27 points, Hinson moved up to 37th place on the Panthers all-time scoring list passing Brad Wanamaker, Ronald Ramon, Donatas Zavackas, Tray Woodall and Aaron Gray. Next up is Brian Generalovich with 1,114 points, then James Robinson and Calvin Sheffield with 1,115 points.
With 199 career three-pointers, Hinson is in 7th place all-time at Pitt trailing Gibbs (297), Jason Matthews (269), Sean Miller (239), Ramon (233), Julius Page (210), Brandin Knight (209).
Love from Florida State
LISTEN to the entire postgame, but Florida State head coach Leonard Hamilton, who has been coaching since 1971, was very complimentary of Pitt and its program.
“This is a great program in a great city that gives them great support,” Hamilton said. “The atmosphere, the student body is right on the floor and they are part of the game. This is what you like to see.”
“Before too long, you are going to see this program be one of the top programs in the country.”
ACC Standings
North Carolina 16-3, 24-6
Duke 15-4, 24-6
Virginia 12-7, 21-9
Clemson 11-8, 21-9
PITT 11-8, 20-10
Syracuse 11-9, 20-11
Wake Forest 10-9, 18-12
Virginia Tech 9-10, 17-13
NC State 9-10, 17-13
Florida State 9-10, 15-15
Notre Dame 7-12, 12-18
Georgia Tech 7-12, 14-16
Boston College 6-12, 15-14
Miami 6-12, 15-14
Louisville 3-16, 8-22
Up Next
Senior Night in the final home game of the regular season hosting North Carolina State at 7:45 on Saturday.