Artis, Panthers take bite out of Orange in 66-52 road win

Apparently all the Pitt men’s basketball team needed was a dose of Vitamin C.

Thanks to a late run of stifling defense, the Panthers (19-7, 8-6 ACC) picked up a key road win on the road, defeating the Syracuse Orange 66-52.

Michael Gbinije opened up scoring in the game, nailing a deep three late in the shot clock to give Syracuse an early three-point lead.

Artis got Pitt on the board with a second-chance score, but a three by the Orange’s Trevor Cooney and a dunk by DaJuan Coleman gave Syracuse an early 9-2 lead at a packed Carrier Dome.

The early portion of the game saw a lot of action around the three point line, as Pitt was ice cold from long range to begin the game. They started 0-5 from beyond the arc, until senior point guard James Robinson eventually snapped with a couple makes.

Syracuse was polar opposite, going 4-5 to kick off the contest.

Robinson’s second three answered a long range swish by Syracuse freshman Tyler Lydon, and the score sat at 16-13 at the second media timeout.

Pitt would take their first lead of the game in an unconventional fashion, as redshirt freshman Cameron Johnson banked in a three to give the Panthers a 21-20 advantage at the third media timeout.

Pitt’s lead ballooned to as high as eight after another Johnson three, but Lydon led the Orange back with two threes, including one with three seconds left in the half, and the Panthers entered intermission leading 30-28.

Pitt would regain a six point lead early in the second half, but Syracuse got to within one thanks to an and-one by Lydon, pushing the score to 37-36 Panthers.

Jamel Artis answered quickly, though, nailing a three to push the Pitt lead back to two possessions before the second media timeout.

Later, clinging to a two-point lead, the Panthers had a chance to regain a four-point advantage with Michael Young at the line. But he missed both free throws, and Lydon followed those misses with another three to give Syracuse a 43-42 advantage, their first lead since the first half.

Sheldon Jeter ensured Syracuse would not hold the lead for long, as he hauled in a pass from Michael Young, converted a layup and drew a foul, converting a three point play.

Syracuse tied the game up on the next play thanks to a Coleman dunk, but Artis nailed another crucial long range shot to put Pitt up 48-45. A pair of free throws by Chris Jones and a jumper by Ryan Luther extended the Panther lead to seven.

With just about two minute left, Artis came up with yet another huge play, slicing to the basket and nailing a floater while Syracuse fouled him. He would finish the and-one to give Pitt a nine point advantage.

A late three by Artis provided the dagger, capping of the big road win.

The junior finished with 21 points, 11 rebounds and four assists, while Robinson tallied 13 points and five helpers.

Lydon led Syracuse with 21.

Jamie Dixon improved to 7-2 all-time in the Carrier Dome with the win, and 14-6 overall against Syracuse.

Pitt returns to the court Wednesday, when they host the Louisville Cardinals at the Petersen Events Center. Tip-off is at 7 p.m.