Panthers Claw Back to Edge Cavaliers in a Nail-Biter at John Paul Jones Arena
The Pittsburgh Panthers emerged victorious with a narrow 56-52 win over the Virginia Cavaliers. The Panthers' season record now stands at an even keel, while the Cavaliers face a setback in their campaign.
The Pittsburgh Panthers displayed resilience on the road, overcoming an early deficit to secure a hard-fought victory against the Virginia Cavaliers. The game, held at John Paul Jones Arena, saw both teams locked in a defensive struggle with the Panthers managing to eke out a win by four points.
In what can only be described as a game of runs, the Pittsburgh Panthers started strong with 15 points in the first quarter but found themselves stifled by Virginia's defense in the second quarter, adding just eight points. However, they roared back after halftime with an impressive 24-point performance in the third quarter before being held to nine points in the final period. This surge proved crucial as it provided them with just enough cushion to withstand Virginia's late push.
Defensively, Pittsburgh showcased their ability to disrupt their opponents' rhythm by recording 11 steals and limiting Virginia's scoring opportunities inside. The team capitalized on these takeaways by scoring 22 points off turnovers. On offense, they were relentless in attacking the paint and notched up 34 points from close range.
Despite shooting only 36 percent from field goals and struggling from beyond the arc with just four three-pointers made at a rate of 21 percent accuracy, it was their tenacity on defense that kept them ahead. They also managed to convert six free throws out of ten attempts (60 percent), which contributed marginally but importantly towards their final tally.
Rebounding was another area where Pittsburgh excelled; they pulled down an impressive total of 36 rebounds – including ten offensive boards that gave them additional chances despite not converting any into second-chance points.
Looking ahead for fans of Pittsburgh basketball: The next challenge for your team will be against Louisville Cardinals at KFC Yum! Center on January 28th at 2:00 PM Eastern Time. You can catch all live action via ACC Network Extra online broadcast networks as your team looks forward to continuing its momentum on this away encounter.