Pitt lost a close game against Seton Hall on Sunday, dropping their second straight, 73-66.
The Panthers fought back after a ten-point first-half deficit and held a lead as large as six late in the game. But after a 7-0 Seton Hall run put the team ahead, Pitt ran out of steam. The Panthers had a chance to tie the game down three in the final minute, but after a Tray Woodall turnover, any chance for a win went down the drain.
Pitt knew that Seton Hall’s leading scorers, Herb Pope and Jordan Theodore, would be difficult to contain. That proved true as the duo combined for 34 points. But what the Panthers likely didn’t count on was the 19 points the Pirates got from freshman Aaron Cosby. Cosby averaged under eight points coming into the game, but had a career outing on Sunday, making five of nine three-pointers.
Seton Hall, as a whole, doesn’t shoot the ball all that well from long distance, but against Pitt, that was a different story. The Pirates made 10 of their 23 attempts – one of their best showings all season.
Pitt also didn’t get nearly as many contributions as they needed on offense. Ashton Gibbs played a good game for the Panthers leading all players in scoring with 26 points, but after Lamar Patterson who chipped in with 15, the team got little from their starters. Tray Woodall had nine, but on 2-of-10 shooting and Nasir Robinson and Talib Zanna combined for only six on 2-of-9 shooting. As a whole, Pitt didn’t shoot the ball well again, finishing under 40 percent for the day.
Two games ago, Pitt looked as if they may be heading for an NCAA Tournament bid. But now with consecutive losses, the NIT may be a more likely destination.
For more on the game and Pitt basketball, check out SB Nation blog, Cardiac Hill.