**Pitt Pulls Away from Murray State’s Scare to Win 83-68**
The Pittsburgh Panthers endured a tense second half but ultimately came through with an 83-68 victory over the Murray State Racers, avoiding an upset in a thrilling non-conference showdown at the Petersen Events Center. Despite a late rally from the Racers that briefly threatened the Panthers’ dominance, Pitt showed resilience and depth to pull away in the final minutes, extending their winning streak to five games.
The game had all the makings of a trap matchup for the Panthers—after all, Murray State is a team with a history of producing upsets, and they entered Pittsburgh with momentum from a strong early-season showing. But Pitt, with a mix of veteran leadership and rising talent, showed that they were capable of weathering the storm and finishing strong.
### A Strong Start for Pitt
The Panthers came out of the gate firing on all cylinders, quickly establishing their dominance in the opening minutes. Senior guard Jamarius Burton, who had been on fire recently, set the tone early with a pair of quick assists and a layup, helping Pitt build a double-digit lead. With his scoring and playmaking, Burton was instrumental in allowing the Panthers to control the tempo early.
The game’s pace favored Pitt’s high-energy offense, which thrived in transition. The Panthers ran up and down the court, making sharp passes and hitting timely shots, especially from beyond the arc. Blake Hinson, another standout for Pitt, added a couple of threes to extend the lead and give the Panthers a comfortable 42-28 advantage by halftime.
Despite Pitt’s strong performance, Murray State was not about to roll over. The Racers had moments of brilliance, especially in the first half when they capitalized on Pitt’s defensive lapses. Freshman guard Sean East II, who had been a sparkplug for the Racers all season, kept his team within striking distance, showing impressive range on his jump shot and finishing in the paint. By halftime, East had racked up 10 points, keeping his team’s spirits high despite the sizable deficit.
### Murray State’s Resilient Rally
Murray State made a statement early in the second half, forcing Pitt to dig deep and respond to their offensive pressure. The Racers opened the period with an 8-2 run, cutting the lead to 44-36 and forcing Panthers head coach Jeff Capel to call a timeout. Out of the break, Murray State’s defense picked up, while East continued to excel as the focal point of their offense. His penetration and passing helped open up lanes for teammates, and forward DJ Burns chipped in with several important baskets inside.
For a few minutes, it seemed like Murray State might just pull off the improbable. Pitt’s shots began to fall short, and they struggled to maintain their rhythm. The Racers’ relentless defense started to get into the heads of the Panthers’ shooters, forcing them into tough possessions and missed opportunities. A crucial three-pointer from Murray State’s Jalen Dupree brought the score to 56-54, making the game extremely tight and sending shockwaves through the crowd.
But just when it seemed like the momentum had shifted entirely in Murray State’s favor, Pitt’s experience began to shine through. The Panthers leaned on their veteran leadership, with Burton taking charge down the stretch. The senior guard orchestrated the offense, hitting a key jumper to calm the team down and re-establish the lead. His timely basket was followed by a pair of clutch free throws and a key assist to Hinson, who drained another three-pointer to put Pitt back up by 8 with just over 5 minutes remaining.
### Pitt’s Closing Push
With Murray State’s upset bid faltering, Pitt turned up the heat. As the clock wound down, the Panthers’ defense stiffened, holding the Racers to just 14 points in the final 10 minutes of play. Murray State’s offense, which had been so potent in the earlier part of the second half, fizzled out under pressure. Pitt’s defense forced several key turnovers and limited second-chance opportunities, allowing the Panthers to methodically pull away.
Hinson, who finished the game with 19 points, added another timely three-pointer with under three minutes left to push the Panthers’ lead to double digits, effectively sealing the game. Pitt also got important contributions from their bench, particularly from forward John Hugley, who grabbed several key rebounds and hit a couple of critical buckets to keep the Racers at bay.
By the final buzzer, the Panthers had regained control, finishing with a comfortable 83-68 victory. While the game may not have been as easy as Pitt had hoped, it showcased their ability to weather a comeback and close out a game under pressure—a trait that could prove invaluable come conference play.
### Key Performances and Takeaways
For Pitt, the standout performances came from Jamarius Burton, who contributed 21 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds, and Blake Hinson, who finished with 19 points, including 3-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc. Their leadership on both ends of the floor was critical in helping the Panthers regain control in the second half.
Murray State’s Sean East II led the Racers with 17 points and 6 assists, while DJ Burns added 14 points and 7 rebounds. Although they came up short, the Racers showed they are a team to be reckoned with, capable of challenging even the most established programs.
For the Panthers, this victory was a reminder that no game is guaranteed, especially when facing a team with as much grit and determination as Murray State. Pitt’s ability to regroup and execute in the clutch will be an important asset as they move forward in the season. While the game was closer than many expected, it gave Pitt a valuable test and a chance to prove their resilience.
As for Murray State, the game will serve as a learning experience, one that showed they can compete at a high level against Power Five competition. With a few adjustments, the Racers will look to build on their strong performance and keep their momentum going in the weeks ahead.
In the end, it was the Panthers who pulled away, maintaining their composure and sealing the victory in the final minutes—an 83-68 win that further solidified their place as one of the stronger teams in the early season.
