Pitt falls short to SMU 86-67 in the blackout at the Pete

The Panthers fell short 86-67 against SMU in a game that was a tale of two halves. The Panthers were leading during the first half, but then the wheels fell off the wagon.

1st Half

It didn’t take long for the Panthers to score. On their second possession, senior guard Damarco Minor opened up the scoring with a three-pointer, pleasing the well-attended Oakland Zoo. An advertised Oakland Zoo hockey sweater giveaway helped pack the Pete.

Pitt took control and used the Pete’s energy to take a quick 6-3 lead heading into the first media timeout. Both teams struggled offensively, but after a huge block from sophomore center Kieran Mullen, sophomore guard Nojus Indrusaitis hit a deep three to take a 12-9 lead. 

Pitt struggled to attack SMU’s zone defense, and the Mustangs’ size outmatched Pitt in the paint. But Pitt attacked from three and took a 19-13 lead. SMU answered right back with its own three-pointer, stunning Pitt’s momentum, making it 19-16. 

SMU sophomore center Samet Yigitoglu made two buckets and got within one. After SMU began abusing the paint, Pitt only led 21-20 with 7:41 to go. 

Both teams were fouling heavily, but it was the only way for Pitt to stop Yigitoglu. At the end of the half, he had 11 points and five rebounds. With the help of senior guard Boopie Miller, the Mustangs took a lead of 34-32 entering the half. 

2nd Half

The second half began with a deep strike from SMU senior forward Corey Washington to put them up 37-32. This started a five-minute 20-9 run that had SMU up 57-41 with 12:13 to go. Things were looking very dark, and the Pete went silent. 

A barrage of three pointers came from SMU and specifically senior guard Jaron Pierre Jr., who had 21 points and shot 71 percent from the floor. Between Pierre Jr. shooting from the arc and Yigitoglu in the paint, SMU’s firepower was unmatched. SMU went on to extend its lead and finish the game 86-67.

What’s next for the Panthers

Pitt hosts the No. 4 Duke Blue Devils Tuesday, Feb. 10, at 9 p.m. Duke is 12-0 in the ACC and will be Pitt’s toughest matchup this season. Duke has multiple players who are projected NBA Draft picks, such as sophomore center Patrick Ngongba II, freshman forward Cameron Boozer and sophomore guard Isaiah Evans.