In a game pitting two of the best rebounding teams in the country also known for stingy defense, the ACC semifinal match up between the Pitt Panthers and Virginia Cavaliers was sure to be a grudge match. In fact, you would almost get the idea this game could have the feel of an old school Big East contest.
That was exactly what transpired. Fueled by tough defense and some highly questionable calls that worked against the Panthers, including a crucial no call on a James Robinson layup late, the Cavaliers were able to escape with a hard fought 51-48 victory to advance to the ACC tournament final against the Duke-NC State winner Sunday afternoon.
Joe Harris led the Cavaliers attack with 12 points. Pitt was led by Talib Zanna and Lamar Patterson’s 15 points a piece.
Turnovers and contested shots were the theme from the opening tip. Pitt was held scoreless for the first four minutes of the half, until a pair of free throws by Zanna broke the ice to go down early 4-2.
The game would continue to be hard fought, as the teams would begrudgingly trade baskets going to the mid point of the half. Field goals by Zanna and Cam Wright kept Pitt up to speed against UVA’s methodical offensive sets and tough defense. Zanna once again came ready to play early, with eight early points and three rebounds. His dunk at the 7:46 mark gave Pitt a 15-14 lead, he then followed up a Malcolm Brogdon jumper with two free throws to make it 17-16 Pitt.
Pitt may not get the credit of being as good defensively as the Cavaliers, but they certainly showed they were up to the challenge of proving that they were. Six forced turnovers and contested shots helped Pitt control the game late in the first half, along with Zanna’s continued impressive play. Zanna’s NBA worthy post move for a lay up put the Panthers up 21-18 at the 4:22 mark.
Three pointers were then traded by London Perrantes and Robinson which gave the Panthers a short lived 24-21 edge; but baskets by Brogdon and Harris would give the Cavaliers a 26-24 halftime lead.
Zanna led the Panthers with 12 points and five rebounds. UVA ended the half with an uncharacteristic seven turnovers and Pitt had the edge in critical rebounding category, 14-12.
The second half started with more tough defense and contested shots as both teams were held scoreless for multiple possessions. Back-to-back three-pointers by Patterson kept the Panthers from going completely stagnant offensively, but Harris hit his second three of the game and then Tony Mitchell followed with a layup to give the Cavaliers their largest lead, 37-32 at the 14:42 mark.
A driving layup by Harris gave UVA their largest lead of the game 43-36 at the 10:36 mark. Zanna then countered with an tremendous individual effort to grab two rebounds and drew a shooting foul, but was only to make 1 of 2 free throws to make it 43-37.
After a 12-foot jump hook by Anthony Gill made the score 45-37, the Panthers were in danger of losing touch with the Cavaliers. The Panthers continued to struggle getting shots to fall, as a number of physical defensive plays by the Cavaliers kept Pitt off the board for long stretches. Virginia used long possessions and efficient shooting to maintain a multiple shot lead.
Michael Young’s contested lay up kept the Panthers within striking distance at 45-40 with just over six minutes left, but the Panthers could not put in multiple opportunities after the Young basket, in no small part due to the Cavaliers stifling defense.
A goaltending call at the 4:26 mark gave Patterson a score, drawing Pitt to 45-42. Then Josh Newkirk’s driving layup with just over two minutes left in the game to make it 47-44, but then was unable to hit a wide open three from the top of the key that would have tied the game late.
Lamar Patterson’s basket drew the Panthers within three points, 49-46 with 50.7 seconds remaining, needing a big stop the Panthers came up with a big steal by James Robinson and then finished with a lay up that inexplicably did not get an and one call with contact on the play.
The Panthers won the rebounding battle 27-25, but shot 36.7 percent from the field. They will now await their destination and seeding for the NCAA tournament with the selection show that will happen tomorrow evening.
