Home > Pitt ends losing streak with an 86-79 win over Providence

Pitt ends losing streak with an 86-79 win over Providence

Think it not strange if you heard something break in the air. If you didn’t hear it, it was a sound that has not been heard in about two months-a unique sound that hopefully opens the door for good things to come. The sound was the breaking of a losing streak.

The University of Pittsburgh Panthers basketball team finally won a game-and in grand fashion beating the Providence Friars 86-74 in front of 10,049 at the Petersen Event’s Center.

Guard Ashton Gibbs took charge and led the way with 22 points-which included 5 three pointers as the Panthers took over a game as a team for the first time since they blew out St. Francis back in December-ironically, that was the last time that the Panthers won a game. With the win, the Panthers (12-9, 1-7 Big East) are no longer in sole position of last place in the Big East Conference as they’re now tied with the Friars (12-9, 1-7 Big East)

Pitt led 30-24 late in the first half-until Gibbs exploded with a barrage of three pointers, and the other Panthers followed with excellent defense and points of their own as the Panthers eventually led 44-29-and went into halftime with a 46-31 lead.

In the second half, Providence, led by guard Vincent Council’s 26 points made a strong charge, but it clearly was not enough as the Panthers continued to add to their already impressive lead. Point guard Travon Woodall finally looked 100% as he contributed with 17 points-and 4 three pointers as the Panthers as a team shot 55% from beyond the three point line. The other two three pointers came from guard Lamar Patterson (9 points) who also had 11 rebounds, and guard John Johnson who had 7 points coming off the bench.

Forward Nasir Robinson had an improved game with 14 points, 6 rebounds-and only two turnovers. In fact, the Panthers only committed 10 turnovers in the game-their lowest amount all season.

The Friars’ Bryce Cotton (20 points ) and LaDontae Henton (12 points) also contributed to their comeback-even bringing the deficit to within 8 late in the second half, but the Panthers made sure it was too much, too little-and too late for another disappointing loss. Henton also led the Friars with 11 rebounds. Council had 9 assists as did Pitt’s Woodall.

What was impressive about this win was how the team truly showed what they can do when they finally played together as a team-one that was hungry for a win. Hopefully they will continue to be hungry, because #10 ranked (#9 in the AP poll) Georgetown (16-3, 6-2 Big East) stops in for a visit on Saturday, and the basketball version of the ‘Backyard Brawl’ will take place on Monday as the Panthers travel to Morgantown to take on the West Virginia Mountaineers (15-6, 5-3 Big East)

Hopefully it’s a start of good things to come for the Panthers-who simply played like they were just tired losing. After all, every team needs a break once in a while right?

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