Did the Pittsburgh Panthers' Overtime Surge Against Wake Forest Demon Deacons Secure Their Victory?

The Pittsburgh Panthers emerged victorious in a closely contested game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, finishing with an 80-76 win. This victory improved the Panthers' record to 1-0, while the Demon Deacons fell to 0-1. The game was held at Petersen Events Center and saw a total attendance of 4,970 fans.

First Half

The first half was marked by a strong start from Wake Forest, who managed to build an early lead of up to 12 points. The Demon Deacons showcased their offensive prowess with effective shooting, achieving a field goal percentage of 46 percent. However, Pitt's defense began tightening as they recorded five blocks and eight steals throughout the game.

Second Half

In the second half, Pitt found their rhythm offensively and defensively. They outscored Wake Forest by six points in this period alone. Omari Witherspoon played a crucial role for Pitt with his consistent performance on both ends of the court. His contribution included scoring key points that helped close the gap created by Wake's initial lead.

Overtime

The overtime period proved decisive for Pitt as they scored 14 points compared to Wake's ten. Barry Dunning Jr.'s presence on both offense and defense was instrumental during this phase; his nine rebounds were vital in securing possession for Pitt during critical moments.

Pittsburgh Panthers post-match stats reveal that their bench players contributed significantly with 26 bench points compared to Wake’s 16—a factor that may have tipped scales in favor of Pitt during crunch time.

Pittsburgh Panthers vs Wake Forest Demon Deacons Key Moments

Key moments included pivotal plays from Nojus Indrusaitis who added depth off-the-bench alongside Brandin Cummings whose defensive efforts resulted in two crucial steals late into regulation time—these actions collectively shifted momentum towards Pitts favor when it mattered most!

Final Thoughts

As we reflect upon Pittsburgh Panthers vs Wake Forest Demon Deacons final thoughts: It is evident how teamwork coupled alongside individual brilliance can turn tides even amidst challenging circumstances such as those faced today!

Looking ahead: The next challenge awaits them at Littlejohn Coliseum where they'll face Clemson Tigers on January 31st at noon Eastern Time—fans can catch all action live via ACC Network broadcast! Share your excitement about this thrilling encounter among fellow Panther enthusiasts today!