PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It was the first time this season the Panthers were able to cruise in the second half. Pitt got hot from three and clamped down after a sloppy first eight minutes on defense to beat Northern Illinois 89-59 at the Petersen Events Center.
It was Pitt’s largest margin of victory in 24 months, shooting 50% FG, 14-29 from three and got 33 points off turnovers.
“Really, really proud for how our guys played today,” said head coach Jeff Capel. “I thought we did a really good job defensively in the second half.”
Allowing 64% shooting to the MAC school in the first dozen minutes, Pitt clamped down on defense, allowing seven points in the final 8:46 of the first half and held the Huskies to 26 percent shooting in the second half. This as the Panthers took care of the ball with an astonishing 26 assists on 30 made field goals.
“It was the best job we’ve done of sharing the basketball,” Capel said. “It’s pretty incredible. Really, really proud of that and seeing our guys genuinely excited for each other when guys had success.”
Justin Champagnie had his seventh career double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds.
“That all starts with defense, we have to pick it up on the defensive end to get to the offense,” Champagnie said. “It’s fun to play basketball like that where everybody is getting some and everyone is playing well. Sharing the ball as a team and playing as a team.”
Xavier Johnson needed only 26 minutes scoring 15 points with 7 assists. Au’Diese Toney with his third straight double-figure game with 15 points and 5 assists. A first double-figure game for Ithiel Horton as a Panther, 15 points on 5 of 10 shooting from 3.
“The difference today was me actually believing I could actually play on this level,” Horton said. “Coming out here and making those shots I can shoot. First two games I was definitely nervous and doubtful.”
Pitt’s ability to blow it open also allowed many players to see extended time as freshmen Noah Collier, William Jeffress, John Hugley and Femi Odukale all played at least 10 minutes. Hugley with six points and five rebounds.
“They are still learning a lot, with a lot to learn,” Champagnie said. “I’m seeing they are picking it up and they are starting to gain some things and understand how this collegiate basketball stuff works out.”
This stuff gets harder from here on out, the 2-1 Panthers play at Northwestern on Wednesday and then after a home game with Gardner-Webb, it’s all ACC competition with road games at Miami and Duke and Louisville at the Pete this month.