Duquesne snapped a tough four game losing streak Saturday afternoon on the road, beating Rhode Island by a score of 83-71. The game saw two Duquesne players achieve landmark points in their basketball careers. Freshman L.G. Gill came off the bench for the Dukes and scored a career high 19 points, that included 5 of 6 from 3-point range. Ovie Soko had a double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds, but more importantly scored his 1000th career point as a college basketball player. He reached ... Read More
Pittsburgh Sporting News Videocast: Episode 5
This week, Michael Waterloo, Gar Bercury, Travis Berardi, Jon Pennline and Daniel Dudley discuss the Olympics, tons of Pirates talk, Pitt basketball, A.J. Burnett, Jason Worilds/LaMarr Woodley and much more. ... Read More
Ennis sinks Pitt at the buzzer
Syracuse freshman point guard Tyler Ennis played a major role down the stretch the last time No. 1 Syracuse and No. 25 Pitt hooked up, but that was nothing compared to what Ennis had in store for the Panthers when the undefeated Orange visited the Petersen Events Center Wednesday night. Ennis drained a walk-off three-point shot at the buzzer from just inside half court as Syracuse remained unbeaten with a dramatic 58-56 victory. Talib Zanna, who led Pitt (20-5, 8-4 ACC) with 16 points and ... Read More
Duquesne Falls Behind Sharp-Shooting Spiders Early in 75-58 Loss
Ovie Soko finally got the momentum going in Duquesne’s favor midway through the first half, likely providing himself with another Sportscenter Top 10 play, as the 6-8 forward caught a long alleyoop pass from Desmond Ridenour and stuffed it home over the outstretched arms of a defender, drawing the foul to boot. But the Spiders (16-8, 6-3) kept Duquesne’s (10-13, 2-8) newfound momentum at bay with strong shooting, especially from point guard Kendall Anthony. “He’s a quick little guy, he’s so ... Read More
Is Pitt’s James Robinson the most under-appreciated player in the nation?
If you’re around this Pitt basketball team frequently, then you likely have a high appreciation for exactly what Panthers' point guard James Robinson brings to Jamie Dixon's team. If not, you probably just see a guy averaging only 8.3 points and 4.0 assists per game and don't have a full appreciation for exactly how good of a season Robinson is having. If that's the case you are not alone as Robinson could be the most under-appreciated players in all of college basketball. But make no ... Read More
Duquesne’s Strengths Were Its Weaknesses Against George Mason
Coach Jim Ferry isn’t ashamed that his team handed George Mason (8-15, 1-8) their first win as a member of the Atlantic 10 conference. Nor is he going to make any major changes to Duquesne’s lineup after the tough loss. Star forward Ovie Soko backed him up: “To be honest with you, every single team can beat anyone in this league. They’ll win more games, this isn’t the only win they’re going to get,” he said. The worst statistic from Saturday afternoon may not lie in the final score, but in ... Read More
Slippery Rock clinches conference tourney berth with win over UPJ
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Slippery Rock University’s men’s basketball team made a jaw-dropping 95.7 percent of its free throws Saturday afternoon en route to an 88-77 win over visiting Pitt-Johnstown in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division action in Morrow Field House. SRU sank its first six charity tosses before senior guard Sa’Quan Davis missed the first of a two-shot opportunity at the midway mark of the second half. The Rock then coolly canned the final 16 shots from the ... Read More
Is the fan as much to blame as Marcus Smart?
Its fair to say quite a stir was caused in the sports world after an ugly incident involving Oklahoma State's Marcus Smart and Texas Tech fan Jeff Orr made national news. Countless replays repeatedly showed Smart angrily shoving Orr after entering the crowd hustling to make a play late in the Cowboys' upset loss to the Red Raiders. It was not a pretty scene, and it immediately elicited visceral responses, and in many cases, hasty knee-jerk reactions. Many immediately placed the onus on Smart. ... Read More
PSAC West Hardwood Moment: IUP, Gannon clinch PSAC tournament berths
Teams in the PSAC West are starting to put some space between each other. IUP and Gannon sit atop the PSAC West and have now clinched births for the PSAC Tournament. Here's the standings: IUP - 19-2, 9-2 Gannon - 14-8, 9-3 Mercyhurst - 12-9, 8-3 Slippery Rock - 17-7, 8-4 Seton Hill - 13-9, 5-7 Pitt-Johnstown - 12-10, 5-7 Cal U - 9-13, 4-8 Edinboro - 9-12, 2-9 Clarion - 4-15, 2-9 Here's how the PSAC West team's in action fared this week: IUP won its only game ... Read More
Rewind: Pittsburgh Sporting News Videocast Episode 4
In case you missed it, here is episode four of the PSN Videocast. Michael Waterloo, Matt Shetler, Jon Pennline, Gar Bercury and Daniel "DD" Dudley discuss National Signing Day, Kris Letang, Marcus Smart, the Olympics, grading the Pirates offseason and Ryan Clark's comments. Be sure to watch the show live each Sunday at 11 a.m. ... Read More