Pittsburgh delivered a resounding 89-66 win over Georgia Tech at McCamish Pavilion, fueled by a stellar performance from Brandin Cummings, who scored 23 points to lead the Panthers to a decisive victory. The win marked a significant Q3 triumph for Pittsburgh, bolstering their tournament resume as they aim to climb the rankings.
From the outset, Pittsburgh set the tone, racing to a 45-26 halftime lead as they outshot and outrebounded the Yellow Jackets. Georgia Tech's Kam Craft tried to spark a comeback, scoring 14 points, but the Panthers' balanced attack proved too much to handle. Pittsburgh's Brandin Cummings was unstoppable, scoring from both inside and outside the arc, while also drawing fouls to get to the line. His 23 points paced the Panthers, who also received significant contributions from Barry Dunning Jr., with 17 points and 7 rebounds, and Nojus Indrusaitis, who chipped in 16 points.
The Yellow Jackets struggled to contain Pittsburgh's offense, which shot efficiently throughout the game. Despite a stronger second-half effort, Georgia Tech couldn't close the gap, ultimately falling by 23 points. Baye Ndongo added 12 points and 8 rebounds for the Yellow Jackets, while Kowacie Reeves Jr. scored 11 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Panthers' dominant performance.
The victory marked a crucial Q3 win for Pittsburgh, which will undoubtedly boost their tournament chances. As a Q3 game for both teams, the outcome carries significant weight in the NCAA's quad-based system. With this win, Pittsburgh improves their resume, particularly given Georgia Tech's respectable net ranking of 142. The Panthers, currently ranked 114 in the net rankings, want to build on this momentum as they navigate their schedule.
This convincing road win showcases Pittsburgh's potential to compete against stronger opponents, and they will aim to replicate this performance in future games. For Georgia Tech, the loss serves as a reminder of the challenges they face in their pursuit of a tournament berth. As the season progresses, both teams will be closely watched, with this game serving as a notable benchmark in their respective journeys. The Panthers' impressive performance will undoubtedly be a key talking point in the lead-up to their next game, as they seek to capitalize on the momentum generated by this decisive victory.