The Pittsburgh Panthers knocked the No. 6 Syracuse Orange out of first place in the Big East on Saturday by notching a 65-55 upset victory at Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Pitt brought a new meaning to the term "offensive balance" in the win, as every player in the Panthers' rotation -- a total of 10 -- scored at least four points, but nobody had more than 13. Meanwhile, Pitt's stifling defense held the Orange to just 36.7 percent from the field and kept Syracuse's bench from doing much of anything, with the Panthers reserves outscoring Syracuse's backups, 31-3.
Syracuse's C.J. Fair led all scorers with 20 points in the losing effort, while Michael Carter-Williams, who fouled out late in the game, pitched in 13. Pitt was led by Tray Woodall, who became the team's first player to reach double-figures in scoring by picking up his 10th and 11th points at the free throw line with 40 seconds remaining. Big man Steven Adams scored eight points and pulled down seven rebounds, while Talib Zanna had 12 boards for the Panthers, who outrebounded the Orange, 37-21.
Syracuse (18-3, 6-2 Big East) is now looking up at Marquette in the conference standings. The Orange will try to get back on track on Monday as they return home to face Notre Dame. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh (18-5, 6-4 Big East) has now won five out of its last six, and will look to continue its momentum at home against Seton Hall.