Syracuse @ Pittsburgh
Back
Petersen Events Center, Pittsburgh, PA  
February 12, 2014  
Syracuse
58
Pos Player Min FG FGA 3FG 3FGA FT FTA Reb Asst TO Stl Blk Fls Pts
G
Tyler Ennis
35
3
5
1
2
6
8
2
5
2
0
0
2
13
G
Trevor Cooney
34
3
8
3
8
2
2
2
0
1
0
0
2
11
C
Rakeem Christmas
35
3
4
0
0
1
2
5
2
1
0
3
4
7
F
C.J. Fair
39
6
14
1
2
1
1
4
1
2
1
0
3
14
F
Jerami Grant
35
2
6
0
0
2
2
5
3
2
1
0
3
6
-
Michael Gbinije
22
1
3
1
2
4
4
4
1
0
0
0
0
7
Syracuse Total
200
18
42
6
14
16
19
24
12
8
2
3
16
58
Pitt
56
Pos Player Min FG FGA 3FG 3FGA FT FTA Reb Asst TO Stl Blk Fls Pts
G
James Robinson
36
2
8
2
5
2
2
4
5
2
2
0
3
8
G
Cameron Wright
35
3
8
0
3
0
0
3
2
2
1
0
1
6
F
Lamar Patterson
36
5
16
3
8
1
3
4
4
3
0
0
2
14
F
Michael Young
18
2
4
0
0
0
1
2
0
2
0
1
2
4
C
Talib Zanna
29
4
9
0
0
8
9
14
1
2
0
1
3
16
-
Jamel Artis
21
1
2
0
0
2
2
5
1
0
1
1
2
4
-
Derrick Randall
11
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
2
0
-
Josh Newkirk
14
1
3
1
3
1
2
1
2
0
0
0
1
0
 
Duke Total
200
18
50
6
19
14
19
35
15
7
4
11
16
56
Attendence 12,935

Comments:

The game had undefeated #1 ranked Syracuse playing #25 Pittsburgh in front of the second largest crowd in Petersen Center history. Despite the Orange being undefeated, Pitt was favored to win the game. The Panthers were always tough to play at home, and were 9-0 in the history of the Petersen Center when playing top 5 teams. Syracuse also was playing without backup center Baye Mousa Keita due to a sprained knee in the previous game against Clemson. The Orange would have little depth at center and would be missing their strongest defensive inside presence.

Pitt dominated the rebounds for the entire game, out rebounding the Orange 35-24 overall, and 16 to 6 on the offensive boards. The Panthers would lead for most of the first half, and would lead at halftime 27-24.

The Panthers would pull out to a 9 point lead at the 15 minute mark of the second half after Lamar Patterson made a three point shot, taking a 37-28 lead. The Orange would slowly work their way back into the game, and the score was tight for most of the last ten minutes. Trevor Cooney would hit a three point shot at the 6:54 mark, tying up the game 45-45.

Pitt would pull back away over the next few minutes and would lead 54-48 with 1:58 to play. On the next play, Tyler Ennis would pass to C.J. Fair down in the right corner, where Fair would make a 3 point shot to narrow the game to 54-51. Pitt tried running the clock down on their next possession, and James Robinson missed his three point shot with 1:10 left on the clock. Syracuse again got the ball to Fair, who made a basket and cut the lead to 54-53.

Pitt would miss its chance at a game winning shot with 15 seconds to go. Trevor Cooney would get the rebound and pass it to Tyler Ennis. Ennis was fouled with 10 seconds to; he would make both free throws giving the Orange their first lead of the second half 55-54.

Pitt would rush down the court and Talib Zanna was fouled by Rakeem Christmas with 4 seconds remaining. Zanna would make both of his free throws giving Pitt the 56-55 lead.

Syracuse inbounded the ball to Tyler Ennis. The play was designed to go to Fair, but he was well guarded, so Ennis drove down the right side of the court. Pitt double teamed Ennis, but he was able to get between the two defenders and make a 35 foot three point shot as the buzzer expired! The Orange would win 58-56 and move to 24-0.

The 24-0 start was the best in Syracuse history, as was the 24 consecutive wins, breaking the record of 23 set back in 1917-1918.

© RLYoung 2014