Panthers Pounce on PC, 86-74

Panthers Pounce on PC, 86-74

Old habits are definitely hard to shake.

Plagued by long stretches of defensive indifference last season, the current Providence Friars have certainly been a better defensive team this year, most of the way through.

But not last night. Or the night before.

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Suffering through an 0-7 start to their Big East schedule, the Pittsburgh Panthers finally found a cure for what has ailed them…connecting on 11-of-20 three point field goals to shoot their way past PC 86-74 Wednesday night at the Peterson Events Center in Pittsburgh, PA.

Including Marquette’s red hot 9-for-11 three point shooting last Saturday, the Friar defense has been torched for 20 made three’s in 31 attempts the past two games…good for 65 percent. And while that’s not the only reason PC has lost, it is a big part of the process for a Friar team that doesn’t have the depth or the consistent scoring ability to stay with, and beat, the league’s top teams.

To win, they simply must defend.

“We’re trying to get our guys to make other teams take tough two’s,” head coach Ed Cooley said. “But we’re just not getting out to their shooters. These teams are getting in a rhythm, and it’s killing us. It’s a shame, because we’re getting great effort from some of the players. Just not enough from everyone.”

The first half featured offensive runs by both sides, as Pittsburgh quickly found its offensive stride. Struggling with only 16% shooting from three-point range in an 11 point home loss to Louisville last Saturday, the Panthers got consecutive three’s – four from Ashton Gibbs, two from Tray Woodall – to pull away from Providence late in the period. Every time the Friars rallied, a three-point basket answered the charge, and Pitt led by 46-31 at the half.

The Panthers hit seven of 12 from long distance in the first half, while PC managed oh-for-seven. Vincent Council scored 16 of his season-high tying 26 points, but his teammates could only manage 5-for-17 shooting combined (Bryce Cotton was scoreless), giving Pittsburgh their cushion.

In the second half, Pitt stretched their lead to 17 with 13:01 to play, when the Friars went on an 8-0 run to pull within nine at 66-57, and 10:15 remaining. Cotton began to get untracked with more aggressive play to the basket, and finally connected on a three as part of another 6-0 spurt…it was 70-63 Panthers with 7:56 to go.

Behind Gibbs (22 points) and Woodall (17 points), Pittsburgh stretched their advantage back to 15 with a 10-2 run, taking control of matters with 2:55 left. Offensive rebounding was also a big factor in the game, with the Panthers outscoring PC 18-11 on second chance points. Pitt leads the Big East (and is second nationally) in rebound margin over their opponents.

The Friars did make one last run back at Pittsburgh, led by Cotton (20 points, all in the second half) and Gerard Coleman in transition, but could never get closer than eight the rest of the way.

With the win, Pittsburgh maintains its recent dominance over PC, having won 11 of the last 12 games played between the teams – with the one Friar win coming in ’09 at the Dunk with the Panthers ranked #1. Pitt has never lost to Providence on the Peterson Events Center floor.

It’s hard to create new habits, when it’s so tough to shake the old ones.

Friar Notes

The Panthers are now 7-0 all time against PC at “The Pete.” Jamie Dixon, in his 9th year as head coach, is 9-1 against the Friars…Pittsburgh’s struggles this season (now 12-9 overall, 1-7 in the Big East) have come as a surprise to many, especially with pre-season Player of the Year Ashton Gibbs leading the way. While his numbers are close to his play from a year ago (16.4 points per game this season, almost 17 last year), the big difference in Pitt’s play has been due to injuries, with point guard Tray Woodall (out for12 games), Dante Taylor, Cameron Wright, and Nasir Robinson all missing time with various ailments. Pitt has had 11 different starters, and has started seven different lineups this season…the Friars are the only team in the country, at the present time, with three players (Council, Cotton, LaDontae Henton) averaging more than 36 minutes of playing time each game. Perhaps the physical stress is becoming a factor in the defensive lapses of late? “When you play in the Big East and it’s as physical as it is, and you’ve got everybody coming at your neck the way this league is built, fatigue could be a factor,” Cooley said. “It’s just something we’re going to have to continue to watch. With our hands tied with not many options, you just go with what you do.” Council and Henton each played 39 minutes against Pitt, Cotton played the entire game (40 minutes)…Council led PC with 26 points and 10 rebounds, his 4th double-double of the season (7th career), and came within one assist (he had nine) of a triple-double. Cotton scored all 20 of his points in the second half, and Henton chipped in 12 points with 11 rebounds, his 7th double-double of the year…Pittsburgh won the board battle 40-35, just the second time in the Big East that the Friars have been outrebounded by their opponent…Gibbs (senior, 22 points), Robinson (senior, 14 points) and Woodall (junior, with 17) combined for 53 of the 86 points, and hit 9-15 three’s…even though Pitt has lost five games on their home floor this season, they’ve still managed to win more than 91% of the time at the PEC over the past 10 years – the 6th best winning percentage in the country…as a program, Pitt has averaged 27 wins per season over the past 10 years, and won six Big East titles (four regular season, two tournament) in the previous 11 seasons…the Friars chartered a flight with several program supporters making the trip to Pittsburgh, returning home immediately after the game. Next, PC will return to the road and travel to Tampa, FL for a Sunday afternoon game against South Florida…