Pitt Basketball: Three losses in row, three defeats at home
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Cincinnati's Justin Jackson blocks a shot by Pitt's John Johnson in the second half Sunday night at Petersen Events Center. -
Pitt athletic trainer Tony Salesi, left, and coach Jamie Dixon assist John Johnson after he was slow to get up against Cincinnati in the first half Sunday night at Petersen Events Center.
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The losses are starting to pile up for Pitt, and there does not appear to be any answers forthcoming from coach Jamie Dixon. A 66-63 loss to Cincinnati Sunday night at Petersen Events Center was the third consecutive setback for the Panthers and placed them in an unfamiliar position.
It is the first time since the 1999-2000 season that the Panthers are 0-2 in Big East Conference play. It's also only the third time in Dixon's nine seasons as head coach that the Panthers have lost three consecutive games.
For Pitt (11-4, 0-2), it was the third loss of the season at home. The Panthers had lost only 11 times at home the past nine seasons combined.
"They put their hearts out there this week getting ready to play this game," Dixon said. "We're really disappointed with the outcome. We just have to keep battling and keep our heads up. We have the guys to get it done."
Pitt had to play again without point guard Tray Woodall, and his absence was critical against the pressing Bearcats, who forced 17 turnovers and kept the Panthers out of a steady offensive rhythm. Woodall missed his sixth game in the past seven with an abdominal injury, and opponents have taken advantage of Pitt's inability to handle pressure without him. In a Dec. 23 home loss to Wagner, Pitt committed 18 turnovers.
Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin played a sixth consecutive game without starting center Yancy Gates and two other post players who were suspended by the school after a Dec. 10 brawl against Xavier. Cronin's small four-guard lineup proved to be bothersome for the Panthers, whose recent shooting struggles continued. They shot 41 percent and made only 5 of 19 shots from behind the 3-point line. They are 15 for 82 from 3-point range in the past five games.
"We just missed too many shots, had too many turnovers," said Pitt senior guard Ashton Gibbs, who scored 18 points, but continued to struggle from the perimeter. He missed 5 of 7 shots from 3-point range.
Cincinnati, meanwhile, created mismatches on the defensive end for the Panthers, who did not guard the 3-point line too well. The Bearcats made 11 of 27 shots from 3-point range and earned the victory despite being outrebounded, 44-30.
First Published January 2, 2012 12:00 am
