Strong second-half recovery helps Panthers avoid upset
It had the looks of all the ugly losses Pitt men’s basketball fans have done their best to delete from their memories. The bad shooting, carelessness with the basketball, poor communication on defense — all signs indicating another brutal loss was brewing.
But with its back against the wall and its pride on the line, for the first time this season, Jeff Capel’s team not only rose to the occasion, but finished the job in rallying back from a threepoint halftime deficit against Alabama State to come out on top by a final of 73-54 Sunday afternoon at the Petersen Events Center.
“I’m proud of our guys for how they responded today,” Capel said following the win. “Especially after getting down in the first half. I thought we had a bigtime response on how we closed the half, with under six minutes remaining in the first half with how we started defending.
“We were able to close the gap and get it to three. Then in the second half, we started defending and that got our offense going. We were able to make some shots.”
After jumping out to a 103 lead to start the contest, the Panthers (2-3) fell into a rut in all phases of the game midway through the first half, resulting in a 14-3 Hornets run that catapulted the winless program ahead until 15 minutes and 45 seconds remained in the game.
Pitt shot only 33% from the field in the opening half and turned the ball over eight times. And while it outperformed Alabama State (0-5) in other statistical areas like rebounding and steals, it was clear to the frustrated home crowd that a better effort overall was needed.
“I thought we were struggling a little bit with confidence coming into the game,” Capel said. “The fact that we couldn’t make a shot, that knocked us back. Then they went on that run and that really knocked us back.”
Thankfully for Pitt fans, that better effort arrived. After taking a few minutes to get on the same page, Capel’s squad finally found a rhythm, opening up with a 15-2 run. The Panthers ultimately outscored the Hornets 42-20 in the second half. Blake Hinson led the way for Pitt, tallying a team-high 18 points. Nelly Cummings was the other Panthers starter who ended the day in double figures, scoring 10 points.
Key stat: Having talent coming off the bench is always a bonus. On Sunday, it was the Panthers’ saving grace. Veteran guard Nike Sibande and all-ACC center John Hugley IV were both excellent in their reserve roles for Pitt, helping the bench tally a season-best 31 points.
With starters in the backcourt struggling from the field, Sibande provided much-needed scoring, contributing 17 points. Hugley gave Pitt a strong presence down low, ending the day with 10 points and nine rebounds.
“When [Hugley] came off the bench, he just gave so much energy,” Alabama State head coach Tony Madlock said. “You could see it in his eyes, he was ready to play.”
Quotable: Pitt is no stranger to disappointing losses against struggling mid-major opponents. In past years, in games the Panthers would fall behind in the first half, there would be little fight in the final 20 minutes.
As one of the few players on Pitt’s roster who was around for those embarrassing defeats, Sibande says second-half efforts like the one he and his teammates delivered Sunday show why this group could be different.
“I think these guys just care more about it,” Sibande said. “We care more about it and we take it personally. It starts at the top with the older guys — we all care about it more and it trickles down to everybody.”
Injury update: After the win, Capel provided an update on William Jeffress, saying the junior forward will “probably” miss the remainder of the season because of a toe injury.
“He’s going to have to have surgery,” Capel said. “He tried yesterday at practice, but most likely he’s going to miss the season.”
Jeffress has played in 47 games for the Panthers, starting 20. The 6-foot-7 former Erie McDowell standout averaged 3.4 points a contest for Pitt last winter.
Up next: The Panthers will host Fairleigh Dickinson of the Northeast Conference at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Petersen Events Center. It will be on ACC Network.