Takeaways | Dominance from Pitt basketball’s frontcourt helped overcome a slow start - The Pitt News

Takeaways | Dominance from Pitt basketball’s frontcourt overcame a slow start

The Panthers secured a 74-59 victory over Youngstown State in the opening game of their 2025 season. Despite a rough start, Pittsburgh found a way to close out strong and get the win.

Strong Frontcourt Performance

Pitt capitalized on its size advantage, scoring 18 points off second-chance opportunities and adopting a gritty style of play to succeed. Senior forward Cameron Corhen emerged as a key veteran leader, playing 35 minutes and leading with 23 points and 12 rebounds.

Defensive Contributions

Corhen’s steady presence reassured the team during moments of offensive disarray early on. Redshirt sophomore forward Papa Amadou Kante complemented the effort by grabbing 10 rebounds in 35 minutes. Kante’s footwork and defensive versatility allowed him to guard any opponent on the floor, strengthening Pitt’s defense.

Rookie Efforts

First-year guard Omari Witherspoon and first-year forward Roman Siulepa showed hesitation typical of their debut games but still made valuable contributions. Witherspoon scored a difficult mid-range jumper, while Siulepa recorded a highlight block. Both committed two turnovers each, illustrating the challenge of stepping into major minutes immediately, especially in a competitive conference like the ACC.

“The Panthers’ 74-59 win on Monday night against Youngstown State was not pretty, but they found a way to get the job done.”
“Corhen played 35 minutes in the win and led the Panthers with 23 points and 12 rebounds.”
“Kante moved his feet against shifty Youngstown State players and showed that he can guard any player on the court, which adds a dimension to Pitt’s defense.”

Author’s summary: Pitt’s frontcourt leadership and defensive grit powered a resilient win after a slow start, showcasing depth and promise despite rookie nerves.

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The Pitt News The Pitt News — 2025-11-05

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