Panthers stung by Yellow Jackets in regular season finale

The Pitt men’s basketball team’s resume just got a little flimsier.

Fighting for an NCAA Tournament berth, the Panthers fell in Atlanta to the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 63-59.

Pitt jumped out to an early 6-0 advantage, thanks to a pair of buckets by Michael Young and a layup by Chris Jones.

A couple baskets by Georgia Tech narrowed Pitt’s lead to two, but a three-point play by Sheldon Jeter allotted Panthers some early breathing room, giving them a five-point lead.

Pitt took a hit on a chaotic possession, as Sheldon Jeter twisted his ankle after following up a Sterling Smith missed three. As he was injured, Georgia Tech scored in transition. Jeter would leave the game, but would return later in the half.

Following Jeter’s injury, Georgia Tech would heat up though in the quarter, as they utilized an 12-2 run put Georgia Tech up 19-14.

Michael Young led Pitt back later in the half, as a hook shot gave Pitt a 26-25 lead with around five minutes left in the half.

The Pitt lead ballooned to nine thanks to a Georgia Tech scoring drought that lasted over four minutes.

Mitchell finally ended the Yellow Jackets scoreless run. Young and him traded baskets in the final seconds, and the Panthers entered halftime leading 36-29.

Young carried Pitt in the first period, tallying 18 points.

Georgia Tech kept biting away at the Pitt lead, and a deep three by Adam Smith tied the game up at 42 with 14:22 left in the game.

Jones and Jacobs traded baskets on the following possessions, but Sheldon Jeter converted on his second three-point play of the game to give Pitt a three point lead.

Smith once again tied the game up with 8:19 left, nailing a long-range shot. The team’s traded baskets for a few minutes, but another three by Smith and a dunk by Jacobs gave Georgia Tech a three-point lead.

James Robinson brought Pitt within one, floating in a two, but Adam Smith swished a contested three-pointer to give the Yellow Jackets and insurmountable four-point advantage.

Pitt stole the ball on an inbound following a turnover and scored with 1:39 remaining, but Smith nailed two free throws immediately after.

Pitt would miss a couple of shots, and were unable to overcome the two-possession advantage.

Young lead Pitt, tallying 24 points and seven rebounds. Artis struggled to get anything going, scoring six points while finishing 2-9 from the field.

Smith paced Georgia Tech with 23 points, finishing 5-7 from three.

The Panthers finished the season 20-10, going 9-9 in ACC play.