PITTSBURGH – Pitt overcame a slow shooting start in the first half and a brief double-figure deficit en route to a 73-54 win over visiting Alabama State Sunday afternoon at the Petersen Events Center. The Panthers made seven three-point field goals in the second half and outscored the Hornets, 42-20, after intermission to snap a three-game losing skid.
Blake Hinson finished with a game-high 21 points to go along with five rebounds and four steals, while Nike Sibande came off the bench to deliver 17 points, four rebounds and three assists. The Indianapolis, Ind., native knocked down a pair of three-point field goals and was 5-of-5 from the foul line for the game. He scored 11 points in the second half of play, including a fast break dunk in the final 90 seconds of action to help punctuate the win for the Panthers.
Trailing 36-34 at the 17:25 mark, Pitt went on a 26-2 run over 8:44 of play to grab control of the game. The Panthers went 11-of-12 from the field, including 7-of-8 from three-point range during the decisive second half run. John Hugley IV’s three at the 7:30 mark gave Pitt a 64-39 advantage.
The Panthers defense locked in during the second half run limiting Alabama State to 1-of-22 shooting from the field over a 10-minute stretch. The Hornets shot just 24.3 percent (9-of-37) from the field after halftime, including 1-of-13 (.077) from three-point range.
Pitt controlled the…
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