SU MBB battles but falls short to PIT 77-73

Grace Piatko: Syracuse and Pittsburgh went down to the wire, and the difference maker was grit. The Panthers came out on top, proving to be the tougher team, winning 77 to 73. Pittsburgh’s head coach Jeff Capel praised his team for their relentless mentality.

Jeff Capel: “Each time it seemed like we stepped up and made it whether it was a three, a mid-range jump shot, something to the basket, keeping the offensive possession alive, Dam and leading to a basket force. So really proud of our guys for fighting and staying tough and making plays.”

Grace Piatko: One player who did show toughness for the orange was Eddie Lampkin. The big man dominated at the glass with 23 rebounds and sees himself as somebody who embodies grit and effort.

Eddie Lampkin:  “Quick on the second one, maybe I get it, and that’s what I always try to do. Just try to out-jump me. Try to just tip it when they jump, tip it. And then just getting in, just reading what they give me.”

Grace Piatko: Now, Syracuse looks to regroup after losing the last three of their four games, and the road ahead doesn’t get much easier as they head west to face Stanford and California, reporting from the JMA wireless, dome, Grace Piatko, CitrusTV