Pitt looked like a well-oiled machine in beating Wake Forest 80-65 yesterday at Pederson Events Center. However, in the process, the Panthers lost key reserve Durand Johnson with a torn ACL for the season.
Luck seemed to be on Pitt’s side all day as the Panthers shot 49% (26 for 53) from the floor, including 74% (23 for 31) from the charity stripe in routing the Demon Deacons. They also played sound defense and controlled the boards by out-rebounding Wake Forest 60-44 on both ends of the floor.
But it was not to be Pitt’s day as the Panthers lost its best 3 point shooter in small forward Durand Johnson, who scored 11 points including 8 for 9 from the line, for the season.
Pitt must now turn to reserve guard Chris Jones to fill in for Johnson’s minutes and play a pivotal role as the Panthers enter the meat of the ACC schedule.
As usual, the Panthers were led by star forward Lamar Patterson who scored 27 points on 10-17 shooting.
The Deacons played tough and were led by PA native Devin Thomas, who pumped in 17 points on 8 for 11 shooting from the floor.
Pitt, though, led all the way and were never really in danger as they cruised to their 3rd straight ACC win in as many games.
Next up: At Georgia Tech, 9pm EST on Tue 1/14 on ESPNU.