Pitt Defeats Youngstown State in Season Opener

The Penguins got the lead back off a 3-pointer from Rolf, but the Panthers went on a 9-0 run to close the first half, taking a 34-28 lead.

Cummings scored a layup, Corhen hit a surprising 3-pointer and then fifth year guard Damarco "Polo" Minor made two free throws and fadeaway, corner mid-range jumper to close it out with 30 seconds left.

Both Teams Expand Their Range in the Second Half

Pitt and Youngstown State both started shooting much more from 3-point range in the second half, compared to the first half.

Carroll opened up the second half with a 3-pointer, but Pitt built their lead up to eight points at 41-33 with 15:16 remaining, thanks to Cummings scoring five points early on.

Penguins junior guard Rontavious Blackshear hit a 3-pointer as well, but freshman forward Roman Siulepa scored two baskets and Corhen added another, keeping the Panthers up 45-36.

The 3-pointers then came through, featuring as six of the next seven field goals made by both teams resulting

Blackshear made one, then Pitt sophomore guard Nojus Indrusaitis responding with one of his own, while Carroll scored a layup, then Cummings made another 3-pointer for Pitt.

YSU center Imanuel Zorgvol added a free throw and redshirt senior guard Jason Nelson made a 3-pointer. Indrusaitis added another 3-pointer, then Blackshear did the same, making it a 54-48 lead for the home team with 10:50 remaining.

Strong Defense Gives Pitt the Win

The Penguins got it as close as four points at 54-50 with 10:15 remaining after a layup from Carroll, threatening the Panthers.

Pitt then got three fouls from Youngstown State, seeing Indrusaitis make two free throws. They then established their press and Minor scored a basket off a turnover, and a steal from redshirt sophomore forward Papa Amadou Kante led to a big dunk from Indrusaitis, forcing a Youngstown State timeout with a 60-50 lead.

Youngstown State couldn't get anywhere closer than seven points with six minutes remaining, as Pitt closed out the game on a 12-4 run to take home the victory.

Players of the Game for Pitt

Corhen led Pitt with 23 points and 12 rebounds, shooting 8-of-11 from the field and 6-for-7 from the foul line. Those 23 points are the most in a Pitt uniform and his 12 rebounds tied a career-high.

Cummings also had a solid game for the Panthers, scoring 18 points and shooting 4-for-8 from the field, 2-for-7 from 3-point range and 8-for-11 from the free throw line.

Minor had a well-rounded game for Pitt, scoring eight points, grabbing six rebounds and making two steals, while Kante added 10 rebounds off the bench.

Pitt outrebounded Youngstown State 46-24, including 17-8 on the offensive glass, as they had 18 second chance points to the road team having just four.

The Panthers also made 22 of their 27 free throw shots, 81%, while the Penguins made just five of their nine foul shots, giving the home team a big advantage.