PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The Panthers had an eight-point lead with 5:35 to play, but it was Clemson (13-3, 5-0) with some clutch shooting and defense down the stretch to come back to beat the Panthers 75-74. Pitt’s first conference loss of the season.
Pitt (12-5, 4-1) made only three field goals in the last 8:33 of the game, five field goals in the last 11 minutes and one made was down four with 0.9 seconds left.
“We weren’t able to make some shots down the stretch and I thought we got some good looks,” said Pitt Head Coach Jeff Capel. “They made some tough ones. They banked in a shot over tough defense. We play good defense, they get an offensive rebound and a guy that hadn’t scored in conference play makes a shot.”
“That’s the difference in the game. In these games like this with two good teams, and it’s a tight battle, it comes down to who can make a few more plays and they did. You give them credit and tip your hat.”
“We got good looks, we just couldn’t capitalize on our opportunities,” said senior guard Jamarius Burton. “A big shout out to Clemson, they were able to capitalize down the stretch. That was really the difference in the ballgame.”
Burton would finish with a game-high 28 points and tied for the team lead in rebounding, six and assists, four.
Like in the last two wins over Top 25 teams, the Panthers trailed by double digits only to rally. Nate Santos hit an off-balanced, contested shot at the buzzer to give the Panthers a two-point lead at halftime.
A big stat that stood out, Clemson led the points in the paint 34-14.
“The very first thing is they are a good team,” Capel said. “They are very, very physical, very physical and it was a physical game throughout. Defensively at the end they were able to get to some spots and made some tough shots.”
“Terrific win for our team,” said Clemson Head Coach Brad Brownell. “I thought our team played exceptional down the stretch. I have a ton of respect for Pitt and its staff. They have a phenomenal team. Thankfully I have some older guys who played well down the stretch.”
Clemson finished with four players in double figures led by Chase Hunter with 17 points including a huge three pointer late. Hunter Tyson had 15 and 12 each for PJ Hall and Brevin Galloway. Hall and Tyson finished with double-doubles with 10 rebounds each.
Blake Hinson had 14 points and six rebounds before fouling out late. Greg Elliott was 3-4 from three and had 11 points.
“We have to get better,” Capel said. “We’re not down. We don’t feel great, obviously we wanted to win, but it’s really cool to be in a battle like this. To be in a position where you are playing in a meaningful game. It certainly hurts, but we have to move on.”
Notes
· Teams combined for only 15 total turnovers (8 by Clemson)
· Teams combined for only 24 bench points (13 by Clemson)
· Clemson 18-24 free throws, while Pitt 17-23
· Attendance 10,403
Damar Love
Before the game, Pitt Athletics laid out a banner for fans to sign to show support for former Panthers all-conference safety Damar Hamlin. They then hung it in the Oakland Zoo section of the Petersen Events Center.
Up Next
Pitt travels to national ranked Duke Wednesday night at 7p with pregame at 6:30 on 93.7 The Fan.