Pitt bounces back with blowout victory over Boston College

For a brief moment, it was easy to question if the Panthers weren’t quite the offensive team they appeared to be, as a slow start against Boston College piled onto their sluggish effort against Louisville.

84 points later, it was apparent that the Panthers can still score efficiently on just about anybody. Led by 22 points by Jamel Artis, Pitt defeated Boston College 84-61 at the Petersen Events Center Saturday.

On the game, Pitt shot 58 percent, nailing ten threes and assisting on 22 of their 33 baskets.

The Eagles were the aggressors early, rushing off to a 10-2 lead three minutes into the game. The short run was sparked by two three pointers, another deep jumper and a layup.

The next few minutes would be defined by sloppy play, with poor offensive execution and loose ball handling. But Pitt would bring the game to a tie at 12 seven minutes in, thanks to a deep jumper by Artis.

Two more buckets by Artis, one a twisting layup and another a three from the top of the key, would force Boston College to call a timeout as Pitt took a 17-12 lead.

Pitt would continue to extend that lead, bringing the score to 28-19 at the TV timeout with just under eight minutes in the half.

But Boston College would slowly chip away at Pitt’s lead, with quick offensive execution of their part, and generally subpar ball movement for Pitt. With just under three minutes left in the half, Boston College guard Eli Carter drained a three to cut the deficit to 35-34.

A mini Pitt run at the end of the half allowed the Panthers to extend the lead to 43-36, thanks in part to two free throws from Artis, and a deep jumper by Sterling Smith, which was also assisted by Artis. The Panthers shot 61 percent in the half, though nine turnovers stunted their point total.

At the TV timeout in the second half, Pitt brought their lead to ten, with another three and floating layup by Artis helping along the way.

Outside of turnovers, Pitt would have no trouble finding quality shots, pushing the ball when they could, while also remaining patient.

Boston College would try to keep up, mostly implementing guard Eli Carter, who was repeatedly isolated against his defender, usually leading to a deep jump shot attempt. Carter finished with 31 points off of 12 of 22 shooting.

Pitt continued to widen their lead, going up 17 with 5:37 left as Cameron Johnson completed a fast break with a dunk. Johnson had an especially productive game off the bench, knocking down seven of ten shots for 20 points.

Pitt will return to the court on Tuesday, when the face off at 8:00 p.m against North Carolina State at the Petersen Events Center.