Panthers Fall in Tightly Contested Road Battle at Clemson

CLEMSON, S.C. – Pitt held the lead for over 25 minutes of action in a game that featured 13 lead changes and five ties before falling, 69-62, in a grueling battle with Clemson at Littlejohn Coliseum. Carlton Carrington paced the Panthers with 18 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals, while Ishmael Leggett came off the bench to post 15 points and five rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a dry spell from three-point range that saw the Panthers go 2-of-15 (.133) from beyond the arc in the second half.

Zack Austin hit a three on the opening possession and Jaland Lowe added another three to help push the Panthers to an 8-3 lead by the first media timeout. The Panthers extended the lead to 10 (23-13) on Austin’s second three with 9:29 left to play in the first half.

Clemson used a 7-2 run to trim the deficit to two possessions before Leggett beat the shot clock with a step-back jumper and added a hanging finish through contact with 1:24 remaining to give the Panthers a 31-23 edge. Clemson scored the final four points to trim the deficit in half at the break.

The Panthers entered the break up 31-27 after holding Clemson to 39 percent (9-of-23) shooting from the field and forcing seven turnovers. Pitt opened the game by making five of its first six three-point attempts and led by as much as 10 before cooling off over the…