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The Syracuse Orange men’s basketball team took its five-game winning steak on the road to the Petersen Events Center on Saturday for a matchup with the Pittsburgh Panthers. Unfortunately, they’d leave with a one-game losing streak following a 80-75 loss.
Pittsburgh entered Saturday’s game coming off of its first victory in nine games, and tried to make is two-straight for the first time since Dec. 28.
The Orange got off to a quick start, getting out to an early 15-10 lead at the first media timeout. Andrew White had seven early points, but it quickly went south. Taurean Thompson picked up three first-half fouls, and the Orange found itself in a 35-28 hole at the end of the first 20 minutes.
John Gillon led the team with nine first-half points, but the story was rebounding. Pitt had a 17 rebound advantage in the first half. SU went just 1-of-8 from 3-point range in the first half, while Pitt went 5-of-11.
Syracuse, after getting down by double-digits again, was forced to slap on the full-court press in the second half. It forced some turnovers, but Pittsburgh found itself easily breaking it at times, too.
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Pittsburgh finished with four players in double-figures, and it proved to be too much for the Orange to handle. Michael Young, Cam Johnson, Jamel Artis and Sheldon Jeter all bounced back from the first time these two teams played, and got their revenge.
The rebounding advantage stayed with Pittsburgh all afternoon, as the Panthers controlled the glass, 41-25.
The Orange got it to within three points with 3.3 seconds to go, but Jeter hit both free throws to seal the victory for Pitt.
Syracuse’s five-game wining streak was snapped at the hands of the Panthers, 80-75.
Andrew White and John Gillon each scored 20 points for the Orange. It was White’s sixth-straight game with at least 20 points.
What’s next?
Syracuse (16-10, 8-5) returns home to host No. 4 Louisville (19-5, 7-4) on Monday. Tip-off is at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.