Pitt Rallies For 83-77 Win Over Syracuse

PITTSBURGH (93-7 The Fan)- Sheldon Jeter scored 18 points off the bench to help push the Panthers past Syracuse in a 83-77 win at The Peterson Events Center. Pitt was trailing most of the game and didn't hold a lead until the first year sophomore made 1 of 2 free throws at the 13:29 mark in the second half which fueled his second half performance including 13 points in the final 10 minutes.

Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim said, "Jeter was the difference in the game."

Jeter only played a total of six minutes in the two previous games but when Cameron Wright went down early with a left ankle injury his role off the bench became more important.

"It feels great we got the 'W' I played good and we all played good really and we just need to keep that energy going that's 3 straight wins for us and we just need to keep it going," Jeter said.

Jamel Artis led the Panthers with 20 points and 10 rebounds, Chris Jones scored 15 points of the bench, Michael Young had 13 points and 11 rebounds and James Robinson also scored 13 points.

Rakeem Christmas and Michael Gbinije led Syracuse with a game-high 23 points each. Christmas also pulled down 12 rebounds and provided a challenge defensively for Pitt forward Michael Young.

"My mind set was to try and not let him get the ball as much as I can and when he did get the ball make him work for it," Young said. "He made some shots and made some tough ones but we came out with the win."

Pitt outrebounded Syracuse 35-33 and forced 14 turnovers. Jamie Dixon said he liked the way Pitt attacked the zone on offense but it's still a work in progress.

"We are trying to find our ways but we fought through a lot of foul trouble and injuries obviously and an undermanned team but I loved how we past the ball with 22 assists," Dixon said.

Pitt (16-8, 5-5 ACC) will continue to be tested with a road game at Louisville on Wednesday followed by North Carolina at home and then Virginia on the road.

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