Pitt Panthers Make Big Comeback, Defeat Cal

Title: Pitt Panthers Make Big Comeback, Defeat Cal The Pitt Panthers overcame a significant first-half deficit to defeat Cal 86-74 in their ACC home opener at the Petersen Events Center on New Year's Day. With this victory, Pitt improved their overall record to 11-2 and 2-0 in the ACC, marking their second win in conference play. The Panthers' comeback was reminiscent of their previous game, where they also rallied to defeat Virginia Tech on December 7. Senior guard Ishmael Leggett missed the game due to a lower body injury, leading to freshman guard Brandin Cummings making his first collegiate start. Cal initially dominated the game with a 13-5 lead and extended their advantage to 39-23, aided by strong performances from players like Ryan Petraitis and Jeremiah Wilkinson. Pitt's struggle with rebounding allowed Cal to capitalize on second-chance opportunities, leading to a significant disparity in offensive rebounds and points. The Panthers ended the first half on a strong note, going on a 15-3 run to cut the deficit to 42-38 by halftime. In the second half, Pitt took control early with a 9-2 run, regaining the lead at 47-44 and maintaining their advantage throughout the period. Jaland Lowe was a standout player, scoring a total of 27 points, contributing significantly to Pitt's scoring surge in the second half. Pitt's next game is against Stanford on January 4, concluding their four-game homestand.

Original Article: https://www.si.com/college/pittsburgh/basketball/pitt-panthers-make-big-comeback-defeat-cal

Original Article Author: Dominic Campbell