The University of Pittsburgh's Daily Student Newspaper

The Pitt News

The University of Pittsburgh's Daily Student Newspaper

The Pitt News

The University of Pittsburgh's Daily Student Newspaper

The Pitt News

Pittsburgh Panthers then-running back James Conner dives to score a 14-yard touchdown against Duke in the first overtime at Heinz Field on Nov. 1, 2014. Duke won 51-48 in double overtime. 
Lake Fong/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette/MCT

Former Pitt back Conner to release autobiography

By Stephen Thompson, Assistant Sports Editor January 24, 2020
Former Pitt running back James Conner announced via Twitter yesterday that he has written a book detailing his bout with cancer while still enrolled at Pitt and his return to the field the following season.
Ryan Murphy shoots a corner three against Boston College.

Murphy saves squandered lead, Pitt beats BC 74-72

By Stephen Thompson, Assistant Sports Editor January 23, 2020
After turning the ball over twice in a span of six seconds and squandering a four-point lead, junior guard Ryan Murphy’s long jumper with only four seconds remaining lifted the Panthers (13-6 overall, 4-4 ACC) to their fourth conference win of the season over Boston College (9-10 overall, 3-5 ACC), surpassing last season’s conference win total with 12 games yet to play.
Sophomore guard Xavier Johnson kept the Panthers afloat on offense in one of his season’s best performances.

Pitt punctuates UNC sweep with wire-to-wire win, 66-52

By Stephen Thompson, Assistant Sports Editor January 18, 2020
A dominant first half kept Pitt afloat through one of its all-too-familiar scoring droughts on Saturday. The Panthers did just enough in the second half to best UNC, 66-52.
Junior forward Terrell Brown prepares to shoot.

Dissecting Pitt’s defensive prowess

By Stephen Thompson, Assistant Sports Editor January 16, 2020
And as a product of their history in the “Old Big East” — a conference known for its gritty personality and indifference to offense — the Panthers are making a name for themselves on the defensive end of the court in 2020.
Coach Capel watches from the bench as penalty call dashes the Panthers’ hopes to upset No. 11 Louisville during the end overtime at Pitt’s 73-68 loss to the Cardinals on Tuesday.

Final foul lifts Louisville over Pitt, 73-68

By Stephen Thompson, Assistant Sports Editor January 15, 2020
A questionable foul call on Terrell Brown sank Pitt against Louisville on Tuesday, but it was the Panthers’ inability to perform down the stretch that put holes in the ship.
Sophomore guard Trey McGowens (2) maneuvers the ball between Wake Forest’s Andrien White and Isaiah Mucius.

Sluggish start dooms Pitt basketball at Miami

By Stephen Thompson, Assistant Sports Editor January 12, 2020
Like most college students on a Sunday afternoon, Pitt experienced a potent hangover in Coral Gables. Fresh off a shocking comeback win over North Carolina on Tuesday, the Panthers fell flat against Miami.
Sophomore guard Xavier Johnson kept the Panthers afloat on offense in one of his season’s best performances.

McGowens, Champagnie lead Pitt over UNC, 73-65

By Stephen Thompson, Assistant Sports Editor January 9, 2020
Pitt men’s basketball entered Chapel Hill Wednesday night 0-7 all-time at the venue but took advantage of a depleted Tar Heels’ squad in a 73-65 win.
The Pitt men’s basketball team fell 69-65 to a Wake Forest team that was projected to finish last in the conference.

Previewing Pitt basketball’s full conference slate

By Stephen Thompson, Assistant Sports Editor January 6, 2020
Pitt men’s basketball is experiencing some deja vu.  Almost one year ago, Pitt ended a 690-day winless streak in conference play with a win over the Louisville Cardinals and five days later pulled off another thrilling upset over No. 11 Florida State. 
Junior guard Ryan Murphy made three of his seven 3-point attempts against Binghamton Friday night.

Panthers flake versus Wake, lose 69-65

By Stephen Thompson, Assistant Sports Editor January 4, 2020
When Pitt downed Florida State in the season opener last November the possibilities seemed endless. Pitt had a winning conference record for the first time since 2016 and head coach Jeff Capel’s rebuild appeared to be right on track.  13 games later, Capel and his Panthers have been knocked down a peg. Pitt (10-4, 1-2 ACC) squandered a 16-point first half lead and lost, 69-65 to Wake Forest (8-5, 1-2 ACC) on Saturday afternoon. 
Sophomore guard Trey McGowens (2) goes up for a dunk during Pitt’s 63-50 victory over Monmouth.

Late run pushes Pitt past NIU, 59-50

By Stephen Thompson, Assistant Sports Editor December 16, 2019
Metal plus time equals rust. And when you leave a basketball team to rest in the Steel City for 10 days, they’re bound to develop some rust as well. Finals week kept Pitt men’s basketball idle for ten days before hosting Northern Illinois on Monday night. 
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