Pitt scoring falls off in 62-48 victory against Purdue Fort Wayne

Jeff Capel had no problem with Pitt’s defense Wednesday night in its 62-48 victory against Purdue Fort Wayne.

In fact, he thought it was “unbelievable.” And the numbers prove it.

The Mastodons were averaging 86.8 points per game (14th in the nation), but they managed only 17 in the first half — less than a point per minute — and ended up missing two-thirds of their shots (39 of 59) for the game.

“Our guys really did a great job of attention to detail of the scouting report, understanding personnel and being able to go out and execute it,” he said.

Yet the game had an unremarkable feel to it. There was more polite applause than cheers in Petersen Events Center where a sparse, five-days-before-Christmas crowd of 7,641 sat back and watched Pitt struggle on offense.

Though it never trailed and led by as many as 24 points, Pitt (9-3) was almost equally inaccurate as its guests, hitting only 36.4% (24 of 66) from the field. Pitt scored 20 points below its season average, missed 18 of 20 3-pointers and scored 50 of 62 points in the paint or at the foul line.

Leading scorer Blake Hinson (an average of 21.6 points through the first 11 games) had just five points, the first time he finished in single digits this season.

Speaking for the entire team, Capel said, “It was like the basket had a lid on it.”

What was the problem?

The missed shots and comfortable lead throughout the game likely helped lead to Pitt’s malaise. But Capel mentioned another factor, labeling it “ready to go home.”

After the game, players started their holiday break. They will be off until Tuesday when they return to campus and begin preparing for the game at Syracuse on Dec. 30, the start of a 19-game stretch of nothing but ACC opponents.

“This is a time for all of us to take a break, enjoy family, get away from it for a little bit,” Capel said. “When you have an opportunity to take breaks, you need to do that.

“It’s a long season, and it’s very emotional. Every game is emotional, especially when it means so much and it means so much to all of us who are in it. These games come pretty quickly. When we get back, they will be happening pretty frequently, and it will be all heavyweight matches.”

Indeed, Pitt will play three games in eight days, starting with Syracuse, coming home to face No. 11 North Carolina on Jan. 2 and traveling to Louisville on Jan. 6.

“When you have a chance to mentally get a break, physically get a break, allow your body to recover, I think it’s huge. For the coaches, too. I’m taking a break, man. I’m enjoying my family, enjoy this time.”

During the break, he will allow himself to do some self-scouting of his team before digging into Syracuse.

“I will watch us (video of what his players have done so far). I’ll go over us,” he said. “I’ll start getting ready for Syracuse when we get back.”

Against Purdue Fort Wayne, Capel stayed with the lineup he started last Saturday against South Carolina State, using Guillermo Diaz Graham and William Jeffress as starters for Zack Austin and Federiko Federiko.

The Panthers were led by Diaz Graham, who scored 13 points, and Bub Carrington and Zack Austin recorded 12 each. Diaz Graham filled up his stat line with eight rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Austin has scored 12 points in each of the two games since he was pulled from the starting lineup, and Diaz Graham believes he knows the reason why.

“Don’t complain, don’t make faces, put your head down, keep going, keep grinding and earn your points,” he said. “I’m really proud of him.”

Despite the offensive struggles, Capel liked the 54-33 rebounding edge his team enjoyed over a smaller opponent and the 13 turnovers the Panthers forced.

“It’s really, really good to win a game when you’re not as good offensively as we have been,” he said, “and as we are.”