Pittsburgh Panthers Edge Out Virginia Cavaliers at Petersen Events Center
The Pittsburgh Panthers improved their season record to an impressive 68-65 victory over the Virginia Cavaliers. The game, held at the Petersen Events Center, saw the home team secure a hard-fought win in front of a crowd of 6,464 attendees.
The Panthers showcased a strong defensive performance with three blocks and five steals, contributing to their overall success. Their offense was equally effective; they shot 42 percent from the field and an outstanding 88 percent from the free-throw line. The team's ability to convert opportunities into points was evident as they made 23 field goals out of 54 attempts and sank seven three-pointers.
A key aspect of Pittsburgh's game was their ball handling and distribution. They recorded 16 assists while maintaining a favorable assist-to-turnover ratio of two. This careful control over possession resulted in only eight turnovers for the entire game.
On the rebounding front, Pittsburgh outperformed Virginia by securing a total of 32 rebounds – seven offensive and twenty-two defensive – which played a crucial role in maintaining possession and creating second-chance points; both teams scored eleven second-chance points each.
The Cavaliers put up a valiant effort with seventeen assists and seven steals but were hindered by eighteen personal fouls compared to just nine by Pittsburgh. Virginia managed to make half of their two-point attempts (17 out of 34) while also shooting nearly forty-three percent from beyond the arc with nine successful three-point shots.
Despite trailing at halftime with only twenty-three points compared to thirty-three for Virginia, Pittsburgh rallied in the second half to score forty-five points, ultimately securing their win with sixty-eight total points against sixty-five for Virginia.
Looking ahead, fans can anticipate another exciting matchup as The Pittsburgh Panthers are scheduled to face off against Clemson Tigers at Petersen Events Center on January seventh at four PM Eastern Time. This upcoming contest will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2 channel two hundred nine for fans unable to attend in person.