Hoping to add another tally to their win column, the Panthers (4-2) traveled down to Florida to take on the University of Central Florida Knights (5-1) in yet another non-conference game.
The Panthers and the Knights traded baskets, with the Panthers trailing by no more than five in the first five minutes of play. Senior forward Cameron Corhen showed up early for the Panthers, tallying six out of Pitt’s eight points heading into the first timeout of the game.
The Panthers continued to be aggressive on the defensive front, forcing three UCF turnovers after just seven minutes of play. Sophomore guard Nojus Indrušaitis cashed in a three-point play for the Panthers, putting them up 18-15 over the Knights.
Pitt kept it close throughout the first half, trailing by only three heading into the second commercial break. Corhen continued to dominate down low, going 5-6 on field goals and scoring 11 of the Panthers’ 26 points.
Senior forward Barry Dunning tied the game at 29 after getting fouled on a three by Knights’ star senior guard Riley Kugel. Dunning followed up immediately with a three, adding six points to the Panthers’ 8-0 run.
The teams continued to trade baskets, with fifth-year guard Themus Fulks sneaking in a three at the buzzer to put the Knights up 38-36 over the Panthers at the half.
The Knights came out hot after the half, going on an 11-1 run to extend their lead over the Panthers to seven. A reversed offensive interference call after a UCF challenge gave the Knights two more crucial points as they continued to add to their lead.
The Knights’ energy continued to frustrate the Panthers, extending Pitt’s scoring drought to almost four minutes. A quick layup by first-year forward Roman Siulepa ended the drought and put the Panthers down 11, but UCF would not let up offensively.
The Panthers caught a major break when Kugel, already tallying 12 points for UCF, exited the game due to his fourth foul with 11:16 minutes remaining. Kugel averages 18 points per game for the Knights and shoots 57% from the three.
Pitt was unable to really cash in on Kugel’s absence, still trailing by 12 when he returned to the game with about 5:30 minutes remaining.
Pitt kept it within 11 in the final minutes of the game, but crucial turnovers by the Panthers left them unable to gain any momentum.
The Panthers ultimately were unable to keep their first-half spark, falling to the Knights 67-77. Pitt will return to the Petersen Events Center on Sunday, Nov. 23, to take on Quinnipiac.
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