PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Texas A&M (7-2) led the entire first half and when Pitt (5-4) did get the lead, they only held it briefly as the Aggies regrouped for an 81-73 win in the ACC/SEC Challenge at the Petersen Events Center Tuesday night.
Texas A&M built a 12-point lead in the second half, but Pitt responded with a 16-0 run to take the lead, but couldn’t hold it as Texas A&M didn’t miss at the foul line down the stretch.
“I’m proud of how we fought, disappointed in the loss,” said Pitt head coach Jeff Capel. “I thought we did a lot of really good things to be in position to win the game, 6:23 left, we are up four. We got to be able to close in that situation. We have to have the mental stamina and physical stamina to be able to make better decisions offensively and defensively.”
Scoring leaders
Aggies Rashaun Agee was the game leader in both points, 21, and rebounds, 13. Ruben Dominguez was 4 for 8 from three for 18 points and Jacari Lane had 14 points and five rebounds.
Panthers had four in double figures
· Barry Dunning, Junior 18 points and 12 rebounds (7 offensive)
· Cam Corhen 15 points (6 of 8 field goals), 8 rebounds
· Nojus Indrusaitis 15 points (3 of 8 from 3)
· Damarco Minor 14 points (4 of 8 from 3)
Omari Witherspoon was only 2 of 10 from the floor for 7 points, but had a game-high 8 assists.
Killer stat
Texas A&M was deadly from the free throw line, 20 of 22 for the game for 91%. Pitt only shot 11 free throws, making 7.
“A huge difference, for a team that presses and uses their hands and physical, it’s amazing we shot 11 free throws, two of them were a technical foul, so really nine free throws that we shot,” Capel said. “That’s interesting.”
Thousand club
With a turnaround jumper midway through the first half, Corhen reached 1,000 career points. In two seasons at Florida State he had 528 of those points.
Big quote
“You got to lose yourself into just win, just making plays to win instead of I can’t make a shot or I haven’t gotten a shot,” Capel said. “All of those things, that’s what I mean where we collectively have to grow.”
“It should strictly be about winning, not about how many points you got. That’s fighting human nature because that’s the biggest thing, but the really good teams, and I’ve coached some really good teams. I’ve been a part of some really good teams. I’ve been a part of some really good teams. I think this team has a chance to be a good team, but it won’t be a good team unless everyone’s mindset is how do we affect winning.”
“I’m not saying we aren’t, I’m not saying that, but we have to do it at a higher level consistently in order to be a team we want to be.”