PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Pitt finally got on a run making six straight field goals late in the second half, but the lead too big as Monmouth beats the Panthers 56-52 Sunday night at the Petersen Events Center.
"They are a good team," said Pitt head coach Jeff Capel. "They play with an energy, pace and toughness. We didn't have that. It's not the team we have been the last week, week and a half, two weeks. We mustered up some energy in the second half and were able to get back in it, but dug too deep of a hole."
Monmouth, 8-2 with a win earlier at Cincinnati, jumped out to a 9-2 lead at the first media timeout just kept building, up 19 points at the 14:51 mark in the second half.
The lead was 17 at the half. Monmouth shot 13 of 27 from the field, while the Panthers were 6-27, more alarming the 3-point shooting, the Hawks 5-11, Panthers 0-7. Pitt had two assists in the first half and nine turnovers.
The stretch of six straight makes boosted the Panthers field goal percentage for the second half to 48% to the Hawks 31% (including 1 of 14 from 3 in the second half). No matter, the damage had been done.
"We weren't connected today like we had been," Capel said. "That's disappointing. We were good after losses, we had had enough of them."
"We didn't handle a win well, it showed up today."
Capel said they didn't practice well last time out and it carried over. His point guard felt the same way and took it a step further.
"We were sluggish in practice the other day and I blame that on me," said Panthers sophomore Femi Odukale. "I didn't have the high intensity energy I usually have and it followed into the game today."
George Papas, All-MAAC Second Team last year, led all scorers with 17 points, adding six rebounds and five assists for Monmouth.
Jamarius Burton had a Pitt-high 15 points. John Hugley had his fourth double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds. Hughley, though just 4 of 12 from the floor.
"Double teams from the beginning of the game, tried to throw me off my game, off rhythm," Hugley said. "They did a good job with it, props to them."
"I feel the offense is through John," Odukale said. "He's a big player. He's a big star of the game because every time he touches the ball, he's liable to score. That's why teams are doubling him. Offensively, we know we have to get the ball to John and play through him."
Pitt drops to 3-7 on the season with losses to The Citadel, UMBC and Monmouth.
"We have a lot of work to do," Capel said. "I know that."
Up Next
It's finals week at Pitt, the Panthers play against Saturday at noon in Madison Square Garden against 8-2 St.
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