Pitt trying to find consistency as Eastern Kentucky visits

Field Level Media|published: Wed 11th December, 24:27 2024

NCAA Basketball: Pittsburgh at Ohio State

Nov 29, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers head coach Jeff Capel III reacts to a play during the first half against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Value City Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

Pitt is out to redeem itself after two weeks of inconsistent play as it prepares to host Eastern Kentucky on Wednesday night.

The Panthers (8-2) have had a couple of hiccups since a 6-0 start to the season, dropping two of their past four games. They were blown out 90-57 by Mississippi State in an SEC/ACC Challenge game on Dec. 4 before bouncing back for a 64-59 victory at Virginia Tech on Saturday.

Defense carried Pitt against the Hokies, with the Panthers forcing 17 turnovers and limiting Virginia Tech to 32 percent shooting from 3-point range (8 of 25), including 2-of-10 success in the second half.

Jaland Lowe led the Panthers' offense with 19 points, and Ishmael Leggett added 17. Lowe and Leggett are averaging 17.1 and 17.0 points per game, respectively, on the season.

Pitt coach Jeff Capel is hoping his team can carry any momentum earned from the weekend into the matchup with the Colonels (5-4).

"That's a heck of a win by us," Capel said after the Saturday contest. "I thought it was an unbelievable effort by Virginia Tech, but we just made plays, we stayed the course and we got stops. We rebounded the basketball, and then we were able to make enough plays on the offensive end to win."

Eastern Kentucky heads to Pittsburgh coming off a 98-62 win over Campbellsville-Harrodsburg on Friday. The Colonels grabbed 27 offensive rebounds in the victory and got 23 points from George Kimble III.

The Colonels ended a two-game skid and, like the Panthers, are trying to once again be more consistent. Eastern Kentucky won three of its first four games this season before dropping three of its next four.

"I love the fight that we have," Colonels coach A.W. Hamilton said of his team earlier this season. "We've got nine new guys and a superstar out there in (Devontae) Blanton. ... I love our group and we've got a chance to have a really good basketball team."

Blanton is putting up a team-high 16.1 points per game in addition to 6.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists.

--Field Level Media

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