Pitt Falls Short in Comeback, Loses to Clemson

The Pitt Panthers continued their losing streak with a loss to Clemson.

Jan 18, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers guard Jaland Lowe (15) dribbles the ball as Clemson Tigers guard Jaeden Zackery (11) defends during the first half at the Petersen Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images / Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthrers made a big comeback, but fell short, as they dropped a close contest to Clemson at the Petersen Events Center.

The Panthers (12-6 overall, 3-4 ACC) have now lost 13 straight matchups to the Tigers (14-4 overall, 6-1 ACC) in the all-time series, which dates back to 2015. They are 2-13 in ACC play against the TIgers.

This also makes it four straight losses for Pitt, as they suffered a blowout 76-47 defeat to then ranked No. 4 Duke on the road on Jan. 7, a close 82-78 defeat to Louisville at home on Jan. 11, ending a 15-game winning streak at the Petersen Events Center, and a road loss, 82-70 to Florida State on Jan. 15.

The Panthers took an early 11-6 lead at the 13:42 mark, as forwards in redshirt senior Zack Austin and junior Guillermo Diaz Graham, plus senior guard Ishmael Leggett hit 3-pointers, while junior forward Cam Corhen made a layup.

Clemson would dominate throughout the first half from behind ther arc, hitting five in the first 11 minutes, as they went on a 11-0 run and took a 17-11 lead at the 9:24 mark. The brother-guard duo of graduate student Chase Hunter and Dillon Hunter hit two 3-pointers each for Clemson at that point.

Corhen kept playing well, making a layup, a jumper and coverting an and-one opportunity off of a layup, cutting it to a two-point deficit at 20-18 with 7:46 remaining.

The Tigers would outscore the Panthers the rest of the way, 20-12, with 15 of their points coming off of five 3-pointers. They shot 10-for-16 in the first half from behind the arc, 62.5%, with Chase Hunter making four of his five attempts.

Corhen had a solid first half, finishing with 11 points on 5-for-5 shooting from the field, but Pitt shot 5-for-17 from 3-point range and only made 12-of-32 shots from the field.

Clemson stayed out in front in the second half, increasing their lead to 14 points, 53-39 at the 14:31 mark. Senior forward Ian Schieffelin made a 3-pointer and converted an and-one opportunity to lead Clemson with six points, while graduate student guard Jaeden Zackery made a 3-pointer and added two free throws.

Pitt then increased their defensive intensity, forcing Clemson into poor shots and creating turnovers as well.

This led to an 18-4 run over six minutes, tying the game up at 57-57 at the under-eight minute media timeout. Leggett led the way with seven points on a 3-pointer, layup and two free throws, while graduate student guard Damian Dunn scored a layup and the 3-pointer to tie it.

Chase Hunter made two free throws out of the timeout and junior forward Chauncey Wiggins scored a layup for the Tigers.

The Panthers responded with Corhen driving for a dunk and Leggett hitting a 3-pointer for the 62-61 lead, giving them their first advantage since early in the first half.

Dunn and Chase Hunter both scored layups and Zackery made one free throw, tying it at 64-64 with two minutes remaining.

Clemson took a timeout and then endured a shot clock violation. Pitt sophomore guard Jaland Lowe missed a 3-pointer and then Dillon Hunter missed a layup, but the rebound went off Diaz Graham's hands and Clemson had possession with 51.0 seconds left.

Zackery then hit a big time mid-range jumper, giving the Tigers a 66-64 lead and the Panthers would take a timeout.

Lowe then came up big, getting the mismatch on Schieffelin and scoring the tying layup. Leggett made a crucial strip steal on the ensuing possession and his half-court was off the mark, sending the game into overtime.

Big time strip steal from #Pitt guard Ish Leggett and this game is headed to overtime pic.twitter.com/YZMVxLApAg

— Dominic Campbell (@DOMISMONEY) January 18, 2025

This marked the second overtime game for Pitt this season, as they defeated Ohio State on the road on Nov. 29.

Lowe opened overtime with a layup, but Schieffelin responded with a layup as well. Dillon Hunter missed a layup, but an offensive rebound for Clemson gave them another shot, that Wiggins took, making a 3-pointer to take the lead.

Corhen then had a controversial call on an offensive foul, but Diaz Graham made a crucial block on Schieffelin. Corhen then had an opportunity at the foul line, but missed the shot and Zackery made a driving layup, putting the Tigers up 73-68 on a 7-0 run, forcing a timeout from Panthers head coach Jeff Capel.

Lowe made another big shot, a 3-pointer right out of the timeout, but Wiggins responded with a layup to keep Clemson up 75-71.

Lowe then missed a 3-pointer on the following Pitt possession, but Diaz Graham forced a steal and Leggett scored a layup.

Chase Hunter sealed the victory on a 3-pointer in Lowe's face, giving them a 78-73 lead. Austin would make a put-back layup, but Clemson held on for the 78-75 win.

Pitt will head back out on the road for their next matchup, as they face rival Syracuse on Jan. 25.

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