Pitt defense chokes undermanned Syracuse in Big East upset

Pittsburgh, PA, United States (4E Sports) – The Pittsburgh Panthers outrebounded the Syracuse Orange, 39-24, and limited them to a 37 percent shooting to post a 65-55 victory Saturday.

Tray Woodall had 13 points, four assists and three steals and Trey Zeigler added six points, four rebounds and four assists off the bench for Pittsburgh (18-5, 6-4 Big East).

The game was tied at 35 midway through the second half when Pitt took control for good. Cam Wright hit a 3-pointer with the shot clock expiring to put the Panthers in front. Lamar Patterson followed with a pull up jumper and Steven Adams put back a miss that allowed Pitt to push in front 43-37.

Durand Johnson followed with a 3-pointer as the lead ballooned to 48-39. Syracuse never got closer than five the rest of the way.

“They’re a tremendous defensive team, knew we were going to have trouble scoring against them,” said Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim.

C.J. Fair led Syracuse (18-3, 6-2) with 20 points, Brandon Triche, and Michael Carter-Williams added 13 points for Syracuse.

Williams, the nation’s leader in assists, finished with just two — nearly seven below his average.

The Orange played without center DaJuan Coleman, who underwent left knee surgery.

Injuries forced Syracuse to play with just seven scholarship players, though Boeheim didn’t want to use that as an excuse.

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