Troutman, Taft score big against Dukes

Despite Duquesne’s proximity to Pitt, Saturday’s basketball game proved that the two schools… Despite Duquesne’s proximity to Pitt, Saturday’s basketball game proved that the two schools are miles apart. Pitt trailed only once in the game, 3-2, but it quickly turned into a blowout as Pitt exploded for 50 second-half points en route to an 87-57 victory.

The 30-point margin was the largest victory for Pitt in the Steel-city rivalry.

The Duquesne Dukes (1-7) kept the game close in the first half. They shot well in the half and cut Pitt’s lead to six right before halftime. Pitt caught fire in the second half and shot 77.8 percent from the three and almost 60 percent from the field, while holding Duquesne to just 26 points in the final 20 minutes.

“I thought our passing was very good, and our guys were recognizing passing up on good shots to shoot great shots,” head coach Jamie Dixon said. “We continued to get great shots throughout the game.”

Pitt’s high field-goal percentage was largely because of dominating performances from its frontcourt. Center Chris Taft led Pitt with 16 points while power forward Chevon Troutman recorded his third double-double of the season with 15 points and a team-high 11 rebounds. The double-double was Troutman’s second in the last two games.

Troutman and Taft went a combined 13 for 20 from the field as they led Pitt in the game’s most lopsided statistic. The Panthers outscored the Dukes 42-14 in the paint.

Duquesne’s center, 6-foot-9 Kieron Achara was very impressed with the play of the Panthers inside.

“They’ve got great post players,” he said after the game. “I believe they are NBA type guys.”

His coach certainly agreed. “Those two men inside are very talented players,” head coach Danny Nee said. “When we see these guys next year, maybe those gentlemen will be in the NBA.”

Pitt’s interior dominance was obvious in many categories on the stat sheet. Not only were the points in the paint one-sided, the second chance points proved to be unbalanced also. Despite the fact that the Dukes pulled one more offensive rebound than Pitt, the Panthers scored 25 points on second chances while Duquesne only finished with eight points. Pitt also blocked seven shots in the game.

Not only did the impressive performance by the frontcourt pace Pitt’s offensive attack, but it also opened things up for the perimeter players as well.

Carl Krauser and Antonio Graves both scored in double-digits, with 15 and 12 pointsrespectively.

When the second half started the two powered Pitt to open up a 20-point lead by the half way mark.

Taft started the half with a two-point jump shot, and on Pitt’s next score, he controlled the ball in the paint and opted to toss it out to the perimeter where Graves was standing all alone.

Graves knocked down the three to give Pitt a 42-31 lead.

The Dukes had no answer for the Panthers. Down low, they tried to double team, leaving guys at the perimeter open. If they covered the perimeter men, Taft, Troutman and Gray were ready to capitalize.

“We have so many options it causes problems for our opponents,” Krauser said. “Once we start the inside-outside game by getting the ball down low and then kicking it out, or by good dribble penetration, it’s going to cause a lot of problems.”

Pitt’s perimeter defense also turned into an exciting offensive weapon as Pitt scored 25 of its 87 points off of Duquesne’s 17 turnovers.

The Panthers finished the game with nine more assists than the Dukes and seven fewer turnovers. “Our assists and turnover numbers speak for themselves,” coach Dixon said.

Pitt will look to continue its success and remain unbeaten when it travels Madison Square Gardens in New York City for the Jimmy V. Classic. The Panthers will play the Memphis Tigers. Tuesday’s game will be Pitt’s first game away from home, but will be a homecoming for seven Panthers with roots in the Empire State. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. on ESPN.