LISTEN: @Cuse_MBB stormed back in the 2nd half to down its old Big East foe 81-73 in @Pitt_MBB. @RealLiamGriffin and @francescosim16 had the call from the Dome for SU's first ACC win of the campaign. pic.twitter.com/HZbrvpC2LR
— WAER Sports (@WAERSports) December 30, 2023
The 125th meeting between Syracuse men’s basketball (10-3, 1-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) and Pitt (9-4, 0-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) was nothing short of gritty. The Orange erased an eight-point halftime deficit to beat the Panthers 81-73 for their first ACC win of the season on Saturday in the JMA Wireless Dome.
Pittsburgh ended the first half on a 9-2 run and took a 38-30 lead into the break. SU made just one three-pointer in the opening frame compared to Pitt’s five.
“Going into halftime, down eight against a very good Pittsburgh team,” said head coach Adrian Autry after the win. “They beat us five of the last six times, three times in a row, in very similar fashion. Close games, then they separate and get ahead.”
The second half was a different story.
SU’s bench came up clutch and outscored Pitt 38-9 in the second frame. Three reserve Orange players scored more points than the starting duo of guards Judah Mintz and J.J. Starling. Guard Quadir Copeland had 15 in the second half. Forwards Maliq Brown and Benny Williams each notched 11.
Copeland finished with a career-high 22 points. The sophomore recorded double-digit points off the bench for the fourth straight contest. He added four assists, too.
“Quadir is really good. He’s still scratching the surface,” said Autry. “What I love about Quadir is, no matter what, mistakes or not, he gives you everything. He fights. Every coach wants that. Those types of people can play for me. All our guys are like that. I’m excited for this bunch.”
Not only was Copeland effective on the offensive end, but he added three steals. The Philadelphia native added nine rebounds, which all came in the second half. Syracuse outrebounded Pitt 25-17 in the second.
Despite Copeland’s strong performance, he almost caused a late-game scare.
“We’ve had some really good defensive possessions and halves, especially in the second half,” said Autry. “Those last two to three minutes always leave a sour taste in my mouth. I’m happy for the win, though.”
The inability to close out games is what Autry referred to after the win.
SU led 78-68, with 48 seconds left. Pitt went on a 4-0 run, and Copeland turned the ball over to give Pitt an opportunity to cut it to a one-possession affair. Panthers guard Jaland Lowe missed the three-pointer, and Copeland got the rebound. He made both free throws and that sealed the deal.
The ‘Cuse carries a five-game win streak into 2024. Syracuse travels to Durham, NC to take on 16th-ranked Duke on Tuesday at 9:00 p.m. The Orange haven’t defeated the Blue Devils since 2019. WAER’s coverage starts at 8:30 p.m. with McClurg Remodeling Countdown to Tipoff.