93.7 The Fan (PITTSBURGH) - A strong second half by the Panthers pushes them past Virginia Tech 79-64.
After a 36-36 halftime score, the Panthers and Hokies would trade baskets to tie the game at 42 just about 4 and a half minutes into the second half. That's when Pitt would go on a 16-0 run to take a commanding 58-42 lead. The Panthers would never look back as they outscored the Hokies by 15 in the second half.
"Our defense, especially in the second half, to hold them to 28 points and 31 percent, was outstanding," said Jeff Capel. "I thought we did a really good job of sharing the basketball, making the right plays, for the most part, and keeping them in rotations. When we showed up Thursday to practice, I knew that we were ready."
Pitt came off a tough loss on Tuesday to Wake Forest 91-58, where they allowed the Demon Deacons to go 10-20 from three. In this game, they held Virginia Tech to 3/20 from three.
"This team we played tonight can really score the basketball," said Capel. "And for us to hold them to three 3's for the game, speak to our attention to detail Thursday and Friday in practice and earlier today in shoot around, and how we executed that."
Individually for the Panthers, Blake Hinson led the way with 22 points on 6/15 shooting. Jaland Lowe scored 18 points and had 6 assists and Zack Austin scored 9 points, recorded 14 rebounds and added 5 blocks.
Pitt travels to Clemson Tuesday February 27th for a 7 p.m. tip-off. Coverage on the Fan begins at 6:30