Pitt Defeats Orange Despite Late Surge

Tuesday, December 20

Syracuse, N.Y.

9 PM

Syracuse University

8-5,1-1ACC

Pittsburgh

9-4,2-0ACC

Pittsburgh

Syracuse

12/20/2022 11:22:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Highlights Jim Boeheim Press Conference

Freshman Judah Mintz scored 15 of his squad-leading 24 points in the second half but Syracuse's (8-5, 1-1) rally fell short in an 84-82 loss to Pittsburgh (9-4, 2-0) at the JMA Wireless Dome on Tuesday night.

The Orange trailed the Panthers by as many as 20 during the contest but fought back to within one point in the final minute. Syracuse was unable to score on its last two possessions.

Senior Joseph Girard III had 16 points and freshman Quadir Copeland contributed a career-high 10 points off the bench for the Orange. Freshman Maliq Brown had a season-high nine rebounds and six points.

Pittsburgh's Blake Hinson had 25 points and 13 rebounds and Nelly Cummings added 22 points, which included six 3-pointers, to the Panther cause.

WHEN THE GAME WAS DECIDED
Girard nailed a clutch 3-pointer with just under 30 seconds left to play in the contest, bringing the Orange within one point, 83-82. Mintz drew a charge to get the ball back but Hinson came up with a steal at the other end with six ticks remaining. Hinson, who was fouled immediately, made one of two free throws, providing the Orange with one more opportunity. Mintz missed his shot to tie the contest.

PITT TAKES CHARGE
Syracuse managed an early, 10-7 advantage, but the Panthers put together a 10-0 run to grab the lead for good. Cummings nailed a pair of 3-pointers, Hinson added four points, and Jamarius Burton dished out two assists in the stretch.

The Panthers increased their margin to 12 points, 31-19, before Syracuse cut into the lead. A lane basket from junior Symir Torrence sent the teams into the intermission with Pittsburgh ahead, 41-33.

ATTACK OF THE PANTHERS
Pittsburg opened the second half by scoring eight of the first 10 points. Consecutive 3-pointers from Burton and Greg Elliott had the visitors in front, 49-35.

The Panthers further cemented their lead by outscoring the Orange 20-10, to make it a 72-52 game with just under 10 minutes remaining.

THE COMEBACK
Syracuse attempted a late comeback by utilizing a 13-4 scoring surge, narrowing the gap to just seven points with 4:59 left on the clock, 79-72. Mintz led the charge with seven points, Copeland completed a four-point play, and Brown added a bucket in the comeback attempt.

After Pitt's Jorge Diaz Graham made two shots at the charity stripe, Mintz sunk a jump shot and Girard nailed a three-pointer to slice the deficit to four, 81-77, with just 1:46 left in the contest.

NOTABLE NUMBERS

In addition to tying his career-best effort of 24 points, Mintz had four assists and five steals.
Senior Jesse Edwards finished with eight points, nine rebounds and six blocked shots for the Orange.
Pittsburgh owned a commanding 44-35 board advantage.
Syracuse converted only six-of-24 3-point attempts (.250) while PIttsburgh connected on 13-of-32 (.406).
All ten players who saw court time for the Orange scored.

UP NEXT
The Orange will be back in action on Saturday, Dec. 31, as they welcome Boston College for a New Year's Eve clash. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. and the game will air live on the ACC Network.

TICKETS
Syracuse men's basketball tickets are available online (cuse.com/tickets), by phone (1-888-DOMETIX), and at the Dome Box Office (Gate B).

For complete coverage of Syracuse men's basketball, follow the team on Twitter (@Cuse_MBB) and Instagram (@cuse_mbb).