Pitt Outlasts Penn State at The Palestra

PHILADELPHIA – The Pitt Panthers faced their first real test of the season, but came out victorious over their most-played opponent.

Pitt defeated rival Penn State 82-76 at The Palestra on Nov. 8, earning an important victory in “The Cathedral of College Basketball.”

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It was the second straight season for the Panthers (3-0) with a win over the Nittany Lions (2-1), as they dominated them 80-46 at Giant Center in Hershey, Pa. on Dec. 21, 2025.

Pitt also remains undefeated, defeating Rider, 95-57 on Nov. 2, and Buffalo, 80-61 on Nov. 5, both at the Petersen Events Center.

Pitt Comes Out On Top Late in First Half

It was a back-and-forth first half between Pitt and Penn State, who each had their runs and strong points.

The Panthers were the better team early on, as senior forward Akir Souare scored the first six points and both seniors, guard Naithan George and forward Baye Ndongo, scored four points each to take a 14-9 lead over the Nittany Lions at the 15:28 mark.

Nov 2, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers guard Naithan George (2) brings the ball up court on a fast break against the Rider Broncs during the first half at Petersen Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Penn State battled back with a 9-3 run to take an 18-17 lead with 11:22 remaining, and then both teams traded baskets, with Pitt leading 28-27 at the 7:18 mark.

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The Nittany Lions would take advantage of some poor play from the Panthers and went on an 8-0 run, with redshirt junior guard/forward Brent Byers making back-to-back 3-pointers to go up 35-27

Pitt came out victorious at the end of the first half, with a 14-3 run over the final 5:15, earning a 42-38 lead.

Fifth-year guard A’lahn Sumler led the Panthers with six points during this run, and junior guard/forward Jonathan Powell added four himself.

Powell played a big role in a momentum-shifter for Pitt, with a layup off a turnover and then an alley-oop to junior guard…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/pitt-outlasts-penn-state-palestra-034216535.html

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Publish date : 2026-11-09 03:42:00

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