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Pittsburgh Panthers outlast Troy, win 84-75 to begin streak

Don’t look now, but the Pittsburgh Panthers are officially on a winning streak.

Pittsburgh picked up their third straight win of the young season with an 84-75 victory over Troy. Now at 3-0, the Panthers are already showing their more impressive athleticism despite playing lesser competition.

It was a big game for Jared Wilson-Frame as he posted a 24 point night for the Panthers. It was aided by his nine points in just 1:41. He is continuing his ways of being a lethal three-point shooter. The Panthers had five players reach double digits in scoring.

Troy’s Jordan Varnado had himself a memorable game as well. He posted a double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds. He was an imposing figure down low all night but the Panthers held him in check. Twelve of his 22 points were from the free throw line.

The Panthers started the game up 7-0 but quickly relinquished the lead by the first media timeout. Troy tied the game at nine but Pittsburgh never looked back. They never even trailed.

However, the Panthers pounded the boards all night and played with lots of fight. With virtually no time remaining, Xavier Johnson buried a lay up after a missed shot by Au’Diese Toney. It gave the Panthers a five point lead at halftime.

That was when Wilson-Frame got hot. He went into the half with eight points and scored 16 in the second half to really drive the needle for Pittsburgh.

The game ended with the Panthers grinding out a few last minute offensive rebounds and a 3-0 record. Johnson came close to a double-double (15 points, nine assists, seven rebounds). He would’ve had it if Wilson-Frame’s final three point attempt went down. It practically did before it cruelly rimmed out.

Head coach Jeff Capel is now 3-0 in his Pittsburgh tenure.

However, he won’t let the early success get to his teams head.

“This may sound silly,” Capel said after the game. “But how do we handle a little bit of success? This is different for the guys in our program right now. Even for the new guys, this is different on this level.”

Johnson said there was a big difference between the team’s play in the first and second half.

“In the second half, we moved the ball a lot more,” Johnson said. “…In the first half, we kind of got stagnant with the ball. We’d drive too far down the lane and just shot up some [bull-crap].”

Troy head coach Phil Cunningham came away impressed with Pittsburgh’s physicality in the paint despite their size.

“I knew they were quick and athletic, but man they were physical around that rim.” Cunningham said.

Another interesting development to watch going forward is the absence of Shamiel Stevenson. Stevenson didn’t check in to tonight’s game at all. He has only played 17 minutes in the first three games, none of which came on Monday.

After being such a key cog in last season’s team, it is different to see him riding the bench. At 6’6″, Stevenson is an athletic player with explosiveness. He could eventually move into the lineup but Capel hasn’t yet given a reason for Stevenson’s lack of playing time.

Three Takeaway’s

  1. Wilson-Frame off the bench has been a smart move on Capel’s part. It is weird seeing Wilson-Frame come off the bench because he is such a lights out shooter from three. He also played a huge role on the team last year. But, Wilson-Frame has had some big game coming off the bench. His 24 points Monday were a big time indicator of what he can do. Wilson-Frame is a leader and that is exactly what the Panthers need.
  2. Terrell Brown was a force tonight and did a lot with his maximized playing time. Brown was so good down the stretch in ACC play last season. That was under Kevin Stallings. With a more structured game and better coaching, Brown showed off his potential on Monday. He had 12 points to go along with five rebounds and a block. He was a perfect 4-for-4 from the free throw line. Brown has an opportunity to play more down the stretch because the Panthers lack big men. At 6’10”, he will be needed when the ACC schedule rolls around.
  3. Varnado didn’t hurt Pittsubrgh as much as he could’ve which aided the Panthers to victory. Varnado was by far Troy’s top player in the game. He did get a lot of opportunities at the free throw line nailing 12-of-13. They made him earn his points. Vardano is a big, physical player. He pulled down five offensive rebounds and had two blocks. He showed out for Troy but it wasn’t quite enough.

What’s Ahead?

Thursday night, the Panthers play host to Central Arkansas, who is 2-1 on the season.

Central Arkansas defeated the University of Ozarks, 93-52, on Monday. They were led by center Hayden Koval who posted a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds. He recorded three blocks as well. He will be another imposing big man Pitt must contain

Thatch Unruh, a senior guard, had 18 points for Central Arkansas in the win.

The post Pittsburgh Panthers Outlast Troy, win 84-75 to begin streak appeared first on Pittsburgh Sports Castle.



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