Pitt Panthers End Losing Streak with Victory over Syracuse

The Pittsburgh Panthers men’s basketball team managed to snap a four-game losing streak with a hard-fought victory over the Syracuse Orange, winning 68-65. The game, played at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, saw a strong performance from Pittsburgh’s junior guard, Jamarius Burton, who scored a season-high 25 points, proving pivotal in the contest. ‘We knew we had to come out here and fight,’ Burton stated after the game. ‘This win is a big step for us to turn things around.’ The Panthers built an early lead but had to withstand several runs from Syracuse, especially in the second half where the Orange took a brief lead. However, Pittsburgh regained their composure down the stretch, closing out the game effectively. Key contributions also came from Femi Odukale, who added 15 points, and Blake Hinson, who chipped in with 12 points. With this win, Pitt improves their record to 12-9 overall and 4-6 in the ACC, while Syracuse falls to 10-11 and 3-7 in the conference. The match marked an important milestone for the Panthers as they aim to regain momentum heading toward the postseason. Coach Jeff Capel praised his team, saying, ‘I’m proud of the guys for their resilience and the way they handled the pressure tonight.’ Next, Pitt will host the North Carolina Tar Heels on Wednesday, while Syracuse looks to bounce back against the Florida State Seminoles.