Zack Austin and Ishmael Leggett each collected 23 points and five rebounds to fuel host Pittsburgh to a 110-78 victory over Sam Houston on Saturday afternoon.
Both players made 8 of 12 shots from the floor, however Austin sank five 3-pointers to highlight a sizzling shooting display.
They weren’t alone for the Panthers (10-2), who shot a robust 58.5 percent from the floor and 51.6 percent from 3-point range.
The sharp shooting and decisive edge in rebounds (36-24) helped Pittsburgh capture its third win in a row and 13th straight at home dating back to last season.
Jaland Lowe collected 18 points and 11 assists for his third double-double of the season. He became the first Panthers player with consecutive double-doubles with at least 10 assists since Tray Woodall in 2011-12.
Cameron Corhen scored 15 points and Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Week Brandin Cummings added 10 off the bench for Pittsburgh.
The Panthers concluded their nonconference schedule on Saturday. Now, they will set their sights on their ACC opener on Jan. 1 against California.
Cameron Huefner scored 26 points and Lamar Wilkerson added 15 for the Bearkats (6-6), who saw their two-game winning streak come to a halt. Sam Houston fell to 2-5 on the road despite shooting 53.6 percent from the floor.
Pittsburgh enjoyed a fast start out of the blocks, with Austin draining a 3-pointer and Leggett making a jumper before Lowe scored the next five points to claim a 10-0 lead.
Huefner sank a jumper to trim the Panthers’ lead to 17-14 before Cummings provided the Panthers a bit of breathing room with a pair of free throws and a three-point play as part of an 11-0 run.
Huefner’s 3-pointer with 20 seconds left in the first half brought Sam Houston within 12 at intermission before Pitt turned on the jets in the second half.
Lowe sank two 3-pointers, Corhen added a pair of emphatic dunks in the early going, and the Panthers were not seriously threatened the rest of the way.
–Field Level Media
