Panthers can’t catch Tigers on the road, 73-60

For the second time this week, Pitt trailed by double digits at halftime on the road — but unlike its Saturday win at Florida State, the Pitt men’s basketball team never came back.

Doomed by another slow start, the Panthers (16-4, 5-3 ACC) dropped a 73-60 decision Wednesday night at Clemson (13-7, 6-2 ACC), despite junior Michael Young’s 25-point effort.

Both teams leaned on their stars early. Jamel Artis and Young scored 10 of Pitt’s first 12 points, while Jaron Blossomgame and Jordan Roper had all of Clemson’s first 12. Pitt’s first eight points came in the paint as part of a 6-0 scoring run.

Since Jan. 10, the Tigers faced five teams in a row ranked in the AP or Coaches’ Top 25 poll — four of those games were at Clemson. Only Louisville topped the Tigers in the stretch.

Sophomore Ryan Luther kept the Panthers’ lethargic offense in the game early. He snapped a four-minute scoreless stretch for the team with a long jumper, followed by his first 3-pointer of the year to bring his team back within five, 22-17.

Young threw the ball away on Pitt’s next possession, leading to an easy Clemson dunk. Roper and Blossomgame continued their scoring tandem by hitting another three apiece. The two combined for 25 points in the first half.

Senior James Robinson telegraphed a pass to Artis at the top of the key, and Roper picked it off for a rare Robinson turnover and a layup during a 9-0 run.

Clemson generated most of their first half offense mainly through fast-break baskets and 3-pointers. The Tigers shot 50 percent from long range in the first half and 39 percent throughout the game.

Luther continued to excel, hitting another 3-pointer to keep Pitt within 10. Luther, who averaged about three points per game entering Wednesday’s contest, scored eight on the night, all in the first half.

With just under three minutes remaining in the half, Young received a pick-and-roll entry pass and laid it in, putting him over 1,000 points in his Pitt career.

He and Luther continued to carry the offense, scoring 19 of Pitt’s 26 first-half points.

The Panthers trailed the Tigers 40-26 at halftime, as only five of the 11 Pitt players who saw the court scored in the half. For the third-straight game, Pitt trailed by double digits at the half.

In the second half, Pitt switched to a zone defense, which worked initially as the Panthers went on a quick 5-0 run and Sterling Smith got on the board with a 3-pointer.

Despite Pitt’s brief success, the Tigers continued to get transition threes, and maintained a 16-point lead.

Pitt picked up six fouls within the first six minutes of the half, sending Clemson into the bonus early. The Tigers have shot well from the charity stripe lately, and they snapped a school-record streak of 36 straight free throws made in the second half. Still, Clemson attacked the lane constantly, earning 26 trips to the line compared to Pitt’s 14.

About midway through the half, Pitt began to regain momentum when it went on a 9-0 run, keyed by a Sheldon Jeter 3-pointer. For the first time in the half, Pitt trailed by single digits, 52-43.

But Gabe DeVoe quickly answered for the Tigers with a 3-pointer of his own, and Pitt’s offense slumped again, unable to find any momentum. No Panther other than Young reached double digits, and Jeter and Robinson combined for just 11 points.

The Panthers shot just 38 percent in the game.

For Clemson, Blossomgame continued his breakout season, scoring a game-high 22 points. Unlike his opponent, his teammates chipped in on the stat sheet as well. Avry Holmes and Ropes scored 13 points apiece, and Landry Nnoko added 12 points and eight rebounds.

In Pitt’s three conference losses, it has not topped 61 points in a game, despite averaging 81 points per game on the season. The Panthers have not won consecutive games since Jan. 6-9, against Georgia Tech and Notre Dame.

Pitt returns to the Petersen Events Center Sunday to host the Virginia Tech Hokies (12-8, 4-3 ACC) at 6:30 p.m.