ALTOONA, Pa. -- It was far from pretty but a win is a win and that's just what Pitt managed to do with a 71-68 victory over Colgate Thursday night at the Petersen Events Center moving to 3-6 on the year.
The Panthers jumped out to a 10-2 lead to start the game before the Raiders clawed back to tie it and eventually take the lead. Pitt shot 12-for-30 in the first half while also going 3-for-12 from beyond the arc.
Colgate took a 33-31 advantage into the locker room at the half, but a 15-3 surge by the Panthers at the start of the second half that set the tone for the rest of the game.
After two soul-crushing losses in a row, this was the win Pitt head coach Jeff Capel and his team needed to right the ship as the non-conference schedule continues.
The Raiders came back to tie the game at 64 before taking a 67-65 lead with 1:24 left in the contest. The Panthers would eventually tie the game at 68 then took a 70-68 lead off a John Hugley layup before William Jeffress drained a free throw for a 71-68 advantage.
On the defensive end, it was Femi Odukale's turn to get involved as he blocked a Nelly Cumming's shot with two seconds left to seal the deal and take home the win.
Hugley dominated down low for the Panthers scoring 22 points, seven rebounds and two blocks in 22 minutes of action. Jamarius Burton added 13 points of his own in 37 minutes while also coming down with five boards. Jeffress scored nine points including the final point of the game in the win.
THE ESSENTIALS
• Boxscore
• Scoreboard
• Standings
• Statistics
THE SCHEDULE
Pitt hosts Monmouth for another campus game in the Gotham Classic Sunday at 7 p.m. at the Petersen Events Center.
THE CONTENT
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