The Wolfpack (13-6, 2-4 ACC) bounced back after a string of poor performances, while handing the Panthers (12-7, 1-5 ACC) their fourth-straight conference loss. State was led by redshirt senior guard Terry Henderson and sophomore forward Maverick Rowan, who each had 21 points.
“It was a quick turnaround from two days ago,” head coach Mark Gottfried said. “Obviously, we were pitiful two days ago. Our guys had a quick turnaround, we talked a lot yesterday, watched film, practiced a little bit. I thought we came out today and they showed some toughness and some character. I liked that about them.”
Rowan had an incredible night shooting the ball for the Pack, going 6 of 9 from behind the arc. The sharpshooter is playing well lately, and has found his way back into the starting lineup after missing seven games with a concussion earlier in the season.
“I feel good,” Rowan said. “As a team, it’s the right option right now and I’m happy to be back. I was out three weeks and I had to fight my way back into the lineup. I’ve been playing well, our team’s been playing well, but we haven’t been pulling out the games. Now, I think as a team moving forward, we can start winning again.”
After a slow start, the teams battled throughout the first half, as State entered the locker room with a one-point lead, 35-34. Henderson led the Pack with 11 first-half points, followed by Rowan, who had eight.
Freshman center Omer Yurtseven, who posted a double-double with 12 points and 16 rebounds, got out to a strong start on the boards, pulling in 10 rebounds in just the first 10 minutes of the game.
“I was just trying to help my team win,” Yurtseven said. “We’ve been bad on the boards for a long time. I think that’s one of the things that helped us bounce back.”
The second half started out much faster than the first, with the two teams trading baskets early. State started the half 9 of 10 from the field, including going 5 of 5 from behind the 3-point line. The hot start was highlighted by a trio of 3-pointers from Rowan, as well a pair of layups from freshman Markell Johnson, who played a career-high 33 minutes.
Pitt was able to keep pace with the Pack, opening the half shooting 10 of 14 and keeping the game close. The Panthers continued to shoot well, going on an 11-2 run to take a 67-60 lead over the Pack. However, State climbed back into it with a 9-2 run of its own, capped off by a big slam dunk from Yurtseven to tie the game with five minutes left to play, 69-69.
The Pack jumped ahead with another Rowan 3-pointer, followed by two free throws from freshman point guard Dennis Smith Jr. The Panthers missed shots on both of their next two possessions, with Henderson and Yurtseven coming up with big rebounds.
“When we took the lead, we pretty much told each other, ‘each possession make sure they don’t get the rebound,’” Henderson said. “That was our main deal. Playing tough on defense, getting those rebounds that we needed. Omer was fantastic for us. I hope he takes it with him and just keeps moving on with his game.”
A late State turnover gave Pitt an opportunity to tie the game. A 3-point attempt for the Panthers missed badly, and Henderson was able to secure the rebound and victory for the Pack, 79-74.
“It’s a process in learning how to win, and what you have to do to win at this level in this league,” Gottfried said. “How hard you’ve got to play every night. How hard you’ve got to play on defense, how well you have to execute your offense, all those things. This was a good, important game for us, the outcome, the way it came out.”
State will be back in action again Saturday, as the Wolfpack will host Wake Forest at PNC Arena.
*Editor’s Note: The original article incorrectly stated the men’s basketball game took place in Reynolds Coliseum.
Freshman Markell Johnson goes for two points against players from Pittsburgh. Johnson contributed 8 points to the Wolfpack's total of 79 in the game versus Pittsburgh on Tuesday in PNC Arena.
