Pitt men’s basketball cruises past Boston College

Pitt men’s basketball traveled to Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, on Saturday to play a quad-two game against Boston College, looking to build on its ACC record with just two more games in the regular season. After a close loss to Clemson, the Panthers needed this win. 

The Panthers posted a dominant performance and defeated Boston College 90-65. 

The Panthers began their night off hot by knocking threes down from across the board, going 5-for-6 from beyond the arc. Pitt senior forward Blake Hinson handled the first possession of the game with a three-pointer. Hinson started the game going 3-for-3.

But Boston College answered Pitt’s call with a 9-0 run. The Eagles forced turnovers and quick shots defensively and on the other side of the court, which helped them find their rhythm. They got offensive rebounds and turned airballs into points. 

The Panthers’ effective defense and eight three-pointers in the first half allowed them to take control of the game against the Eagles. Pitt junior guard Ishmael Leggett scored smooth fastbreak layups throughout the first. These quick points off the bench contributed to the Panthers’ success. 

Pitt junior center Federiko Federiko also found himself in the right spot under the basket multiple times, scoring four points off of offensive rebounds and six points overall. Federiko also posted two defensive rebounds in the half.

With the first half winding down, the Panthers were up 16, which was the largest lead of the night so far. Boston College continuously came up short-handed on its Senior Night and the Panthers took advantage. The Eagles gave up threes and easy layups, allowing Pitt to pull ahead.

Both teams started the second half off slow. Boston College went only 2-8 in field goals, and Pitt had just one after 5:20. Redshirt junior forward Zach Austin ended the Panthers’ three minute drought, knocking down a three-pointer from the left side. 

Boston College’s senior forward Quinten Post was most effective for the Eagles, putting up 25 of the Eagles’ 43 points with 11:50 remaining in the game. Post carried Boston College’s offense, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Panthers. 

Pitt first-year guard Carlton “Bub” Carrington continued his trends from the first half into the second, finding the bottom of the net multiple times from beyond the three-point line. First-year guard Jaland Lowe gave Carrington an opportunity to shoot and put down his seventh three of the game. This three-pointer set a new career high for Carrington. 

As Pitt’s lead grew, so did its confidence and style. 

Pitt continued putting down easy layups and found three-pointer opportunities as the second half was coming to a close. Austin pulled out a reverse dunk, and Hinson followed with a dunk of his own just seconds later. 

From the first possession to the last, Pittsburgh dominated. The Panthers tied their three-point season high of 16. Lowe had a notable performance for the Panthers, posting a new career high of nine assists. 

Pitt looks to take care of business at home on Tuesday at 9:00 p.m. and carry its momentum back to the Oakland Zoo to face a crucial opponent, Florida State, in the final week of the regular season.