Inside The Panthers

Pitt vs Georgia Tech Live Feed: Panthers Avoid Devastating Loss

The Pitt Panthers leaned on their defense to turn what was heading for an ugly loss into victory.
Stephen Thompson|
Pitt vs Georgia Tech Live Feed: Panthers Avoid Devastating Loss
Pitt vs Georgia Tech Live Feed: Panthers Avoid Devastating Loss

In this story:

Pittsburgh Panthers

PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers were on the ropes against an ACC bottom feeder. Desperately needing to avoid a Quad 4 loss, the Panthers leaned on their defense, which sparked a 13-3 second half run that put them in control for the rest of the evening.

Matchup: Georgia Tech at Pitt 
Time: 7:00 P.M. ET
Where: Petersen Events Center
How to Watch: ACC Network
How to Listen: 93.7 The Fan

Live Game Chat

Come chat with our Inside the Panthers team. Stephen Thompson will share their thoughts and news, and any highlights from the game. Tweet at us at @InsidePitt to have your thoughts and reactions shared in the feed.

Stephen: Final: Georgia Tech 68, Pitt 76.

The Panthers didn’t force a turnover until 25 minutes of game time had passed, allowed America’s 250th-best offense by efficiency shoot 47.3% from the floor and gave up 11 points off turnovers in the first half. For most of the game, they looked tired, disconnected and headed for their worst loss of the season and they still won.

Lots of credit is due to Jeff Capel, who’s decision to employ a full court press gave Pitt a shot in the arm and sparked the defensive effort that led to a 13-3 run. Nike Sibande spearheaded that effort from the top of the zone press. Nelly Cummings (22 points, seven assists, five rebounds) and Blake Hinson (19 points, five 3-pointers, six rebounds) also receive game balls.

Pitt improves to 20-8 overall and 13-4 in conference. This is the program’s first 20-win season since 2015-16, coincidentally the last year it made the NCAA Tournament.  

Stephen: 

Stephen: Pitt has opened up a 65-59 lead with 3:32 to play. Nelly Cummings' third triple of the night tied him for the team lead in points with 16. The Panthers have tightened up somewhat on the defensive end, but Georgia Tech continues to hang tough and convert some difficult shots right when the game looks like it's about to get out of hand. Miles Kelly has been fantastic, scoring 14 of his 24 total points in the second half on 4-7 shooting from deep. 

Stephen: Pitt has used its defense to spark a 10-3 run that forces Josh Pastner to call timeout. Georgia Tech hasn't made a field goal in 3:39 and the Panthers are up 55-52 with 8:39 to play. 

Stephen: 

Stephen: Georgia Tech has opened up their largest lead of the night at 49-45 with 11:57 to play in the game. Every time the Panthers have managed to mount the beginnings of a run, the Yellow Jackets steal momentum back with a timely shot - they're 3-6 from 3-point range in the second half. 

Stephen: Whatever is ailing Elliot must not be much of a problem, because he just canned a desperately-needed triple for Pitt to put them back out in front, 41-40 with 17:31 to go in the second half. Georgia Tech briefly went ahead 40-38 after Miles Kelly made consecutive 3-pointers. 

Stephen: Halftime: Georgia Tech 32, Pitt 32.

That was an ugly half for Pitt. They committed five turnovers, which led to 11 Georgia Tech points while forcing none themselves. Their 21-14 edge in rebounding and +6 margin at the free throw line didn’t amount to much in terms of creating separation.

The Panthers have been buoyed by the scoring of Nelly Cummings and Blake Hinson, who have eight and 11 points, respectively. Federiko Federiko has been excellent defensively with two blocks to go along with six points and five rebounds, but his teammates haven't helped him out much. The Panthers have surrendered 18 points in the paint while chasing Tech's guards out on the perimeter after hedging hard on ball screens. 

Stephen: Georgia Tech ahs made six of their last seven shots and knotted the game at 27, all with 3:35 to play in the first half. Miles Kelly has done most of the damage with 10 points. Pitt has been buoyed by three first half triples from Blake Hinson. 

Stephen: Pitt extended their lead to as many as eight earlier in this first half, but the Yellow Jackets are still lin striking distance, but trailing 20-16, with 7:28 to play in the first half. Cummings leads all scorers with eight points and has three assists and three rebounds too. Hinson's hit a couple of 3-pointers as well. Tough start for Lance Terry from Tech - he's picked up four quick fouls and is 0-3 from the field. 

Stephen: A video tribute to Damar Hamlin, who is sitting courtside, ran during the second media timeout of the game. 

Stephen: Pitt leads 6-5 at the first media timeout of the night. Nelly Cummings will go to the line to convert an old fashioned 3-point play after the break. Federiko has been stout defending the interior so far. 

Stephen: No surprises in Pitt's starting lineup - the familiar faces Nelly Cummings, Greg Elliot, Jamarius Burton, Blake Hinson and Federiko Federiko will be the first five on the floor. Georgia Tech will roll with Lance Terry, Kyle Sturdivant, Deebo Coleman, Miles Kelly and Ja'Von Fanklin. 

Stephen: 

Stephen: ICYMI - Georgia Tech is dealing with a significant absence tonight. 

Stephen: If nothing else, the Yellow Jackets can really defend. They boast the No. 47 effective field goal defense and No. 66 block rate in Division I and they do it all without fouling very often. Only once this month has Georgia Tech allowed an opponent to record an effective field goal percentage north of 50% and their highest point total allowed in February is 72. 

This is not an ideal matchup for the Panthers, who tend to rely heavily on the 3-point shot heavily at times. Still, Pitt doesn't need triples to score as long as they take care of the ball and convert on easy opportunities around the rim. Federiko Federiko's shooting percentage and Nelly Cummings' assist-to-turnover ratio are two stats to watch closely in this one. 

Make sure you bookmark Inside the Panthers for the latest news, exclusive interviews, recruiting coverage and so much more!

Bracketology Watch: Joe Lunardi Moves Pitt East to Face Kentucky

Georgia Tech G Deivon Smith Out vs Pitt

Pitt vs Georgia Tech: Game Info, Odds, Three Storylines

Bracketology Watch: Pitt Projected as Lowest-Seeded ACC Tournament Team

What Virginia Tech Loss Says About Pitt

National Writers Demote Pitt in National Rankings

Loading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations

Published
Stephen Thompson
STEPHEN THOMPSON

Stephen Thompson graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications and political science from Pitt in April 2022 after spending four years as a sports writer and editor at The Pitt News, the University of Pittsburgh's independent, student-run newspaper.  He primarily worked the Pitt men's basketball beat, and filled in on coverage of football, volleyball, softball, gymnastics and lacrosse, in addition to other sports as needed. His work at The Pitt News has won awards from the Pennsylvania News Media Association and Associated College Press.  During the spring and summer of 2021, Stephen interned for Pittsburgh Sports Now, covering baseball in western Pennsylvania. Hailing from Washington D.C., family ties have cultivated a love of Boston's professional teams and Pitt athletics, and a fascination with sports in general.  You can reach Stephen by email at stephenethompson00@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter. Read his latest work:

Share on XFollow stephenethom
Home/Basketball