PITTSBURGH — Jaland Lowe was instrumental in the victory, scoring 18 points, while Zack Austin contributed 15 points and matched his season high with five blocks, leading Pittsburgh to a 73-65 win over North Carolina on Tuesday evening.
In addition to Lowe and Austin’s efforts, Ishmael Leggett also scored 15 points for the Panthers (14-6, 5-4 ACC). Cameron Corhen had an impressive night as well, scoring 14 points on an efficient 5-of-6 shooting. Lowe complemented his scoring with seven assists, six rebounds, and three steals, showcasing a well-rounded performance.
For North Carolina (13-9, 6-4), RJ Davis was the top scorer with 16 points, while Elliot Cadeau added 11 points and contributed seven assists. Despite a challenging night shooting, Seth Trimble managed to tally 10 points and matched his career high by securing 12 rebounds, marking his second consecutive double-double and third of the season.
The game saw Austin hit a critical 3-pointer to give the Panthers a brief one-point lead, but Cadeau quickly responded with a layup to regain the edge for the Tar Heels. A subsequent 3-pointer from Austin put the score at 67-65 with just over two minutes remaining, allowing Pittsburgh to maintain the lead for the duration of the game.
Defensively, Austin made significant contributions with his two blocks, and down the final stretch, Leggett was flawless from the free-throw line, going 4 for 4 to help secure the Panther’s victory.
In a surprising turn, North Carolina struggled offensively down the stretch, missing their last seven attempts and converting only one of their final 11 shots.
A pivotal moment came when Guillermo Diaz Graham drained a 3-pointer, capping off a 13-3 run that put Pittsburgh ahead by three around the 12-minute mark in the second half. However, Davis quickly answered with a layup and then scored again from beyond the arc, allowing the Tar Heels to reclaim the lead at 59-57 with just under 9 minutes left to play.
Looking ahead, North Carolina will make the short trip to face No. 2 Duke on Saturday, while Pittsburgh will travel to take on Wake Forest on the same day.
