Syracuse University vs the Pittsburgh Panthers: Did free throws and overtime rebounding decide it at JMA Wireless Dome?

Syracuse University entered 2026-03-07 at 17-14, and the Pittsburgh Panthers arrived at 16-14 for a conference game at 4:30 PM EDT on The CW Network. The Panthers left the JMA Wireless Dome with a 71-69 overtime result in front of an attendance of 19837, with the game featuring 13 ties and 7 lead changes.

First half

Syracuse University scored 31 in the first half while Pitt scored 28, and the Orange took a 3-point biggest lead during the opening segment. The Orange shot 94 percent at the line on 17 attempts in the game, and that efficiency kept Syracuse close when it shot 39 percent on 59 field goal attempts overall. The Panthers scored 36 points in the paint for the game, and that interior production showed up early as Pitt finished at 61 percent on 33 two-point attempts.

Second half

Syracuse added 34 in the second half and Pitt answered with 37, and the Orange produced 10 assists against 10 turnovers as the lead swung back and forth. The Panthers generated 8 steals and turned those takeaways into 10 points off turnovers, while Syracuse finished with 3 steals and 7 points off turnovers. The Orange got 7 offensive rebounds and 6 second-chance points, but Pitt countered with 8 offensive rebounds and 12 second-chance points to keep pace into the horn.

Overtime

Pitt won overtime 6-4 as both teams finished with true shooting at 52 percent, and the possession battle tightened with Syracuse using its last timeout while the Panthers had 1 remaining. The Orange hit 7 three-pointers on 24 attempts for 29 percent, but Pitt held to 6 makes on 26 attempts for 23 percent and still got enough paint scoring to edge the extra session.

Notable performances and team numbers

Naithan George’s previous-game line of 26 points, 4 assists, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals reflected the kind of load Syracuse leaned on in this matchup where every trip mattered. Donnie Freeman’s previous-game 18 points and 13 rebounds matched Syracuse’s need for boards in a game where Pitt finished with 39 total rebounds to Syracuse’s 34. William Kyle III’s previous-game 4 blocks fit a Syracuse defensive effort that produced 5 blocks in this contest, while the Orange bench contributed 5 points compared with 16 from the Panthers reserves. This Syracuse Orange vs Pittsburgh Panthers match summary also tracks Syracuse Orange vs Pittsburgh Panthers key moments through the teams’ 17-19 foul count, and it fits the Syracuse Orange match rating shaped by 16 made free throws, 26 points in the paint, and 4 fast-break points. The Syracuse Orange full-time result was defined by Pitt’s 44 percent field goal shooting, Syracuse’s 45 effective field goal percent, and the Panthers’ 12-point biggest lead that forced the Orange to answer in regulation.

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