Pitt ends nonconference schedule with win against Canisius

Pitt put holidays, mom’s home cooking and days off in the past Monday, closingthe nonconference portion of its schedule with good news and bad.

With bigger, more significant days ahead.

While defeating Canisius, 87-79, before a crowd of 8,035 at Petersen Events Center, Pitt set a season high for points scored. The Panthers shot 50% from the field — only the second time that’s happened this season — and a season-high 56.3% from beyond the 3-point arc (9 of 16).

“We needed it,” coach Jeff Capel said.

Yet they also gave up more points than they’ve allowed in any of the previous 12 games and were outrebounded 34-31 (17-13 on the offensive glass).

“I felt like in the past few games, we’ve gotten better offensively, but that can’t be at the expense of our defense,” Capel said. “We have to get back to work as we head into ACC play.”

After playing only four games in the past 25 days — thanks to final exams and a Christmas break — Pitt (10-3, 1-1) will open a stretch of eight games in 25 days Saturday when it confronts ACC foe Wake Forest at the Pete.

Capel might take a full complement of nine players into the meat of Pitt’s schedule, with the return of freshman Gerald Drumgoole Jr., who had been out since Nov. 15 with an ankle injury. He played only four minutes but scored four points with two rebounds.

Starters dominated the scoring, with another freshman, Justin Champagnie, scoring the game’s first eight points — two 3s and a breakaway layup — and matching a season high with 21 points.

Before the game, he had a total of only five 3-pointers this season, and he played 10 of 12 games without one. But he hit five against Canisius.

He attributed his sudden burst of long-range accuracy to putting up about 100 shots in practice. Hitting the first two Monday within 45 seconds of the opening tip didn’t hurt, either.

“My confidence shoots up when that happens,” he said.

Champagnie was one of five Pitt players who scored at least 13 points. Xavier Johnson and Ryan Murphy added 16 each, Trey McGowens scored 14 and Au’Diese Toney 13.

When Canisius (5-7) trimmed Pitt’s lead to 67-66 with 7:07 left, Johnson converted two three-point plays within 20 seconds to give the Panthers some room for error.

Johnson and McGowens did the bulk of the ball-handling late in the game as Pitt was holding off a Canisius rally.

“I feel very comfortable with the ball in their hands,” Capel said.

Many of the coach’s decisions were strategic, including setting the start time for noon, extremely rare on a weekday. He wants his team to get accustomed to the early start time because there will be five of them during the ACC season.

“Noon means you have to wake up ready to go,” he said.

He liked how the game started, with Champagnie giving Pitt an early 8-0 lead, but other elements disturbed Capel.

Pitt committed 17 turnovers after averaging only 12.5 entering the game. Plus, Capel didn’t like his team’s defense.

Canisius’ Majesty Brandon and Jalanni White scored 20 and 16 points off the bench, and guard Malik Johnson had his run of the court occasionally while scoring 14.

“Johnson got three plays where he went 94 feet and got to the basket for a layup or a floater,” Capel said. “We really have to work harder to address that.”

Canisius coach Reggie Witherspoon has no doubt Capel will smooth out the wrinkles. Witherspoon was a member of Capel’s staff on USA Basketball’s under-18 team that won a gold medal in 2010 with future NBA star Kyrie Irving.

“They’re going to play better than what their talent indicates they are,” Witherspoon said of Pitt. “His team is a pain in the butt to play against.

“(Opposing) coaching staffs will come in here with bags under their eyes (preparing for the game). Should Pitt’s opponents win, they won’t be able to enjoy it.”

Get the latest news about Pitt basketball and all things Panthers athletics.