Pittsburgh Defeats Washington State, Wins CBI
The 2011-2012 edition of the Pittsburgh Panthers basketball team will not go down in history as a good one. At one point, the team was 11-1 and looking like a fairly normal edition–except for a stunning home loss to Long Beach State. And then Pitt lost to Wagner. And then Pitt lost its first 7 conference games. By the end of the regular season, Pittsburgh was a pedestrian 16-15. But, while this team will not go down in history as a great team, it will go down as the champions of the 2012 College Basketball Invitational after defeating Washington State 71-65.
The hero for Pittsburgh was Lamar Patterson, who scored 14 points, grabbed eight rebounds and dished five assists en route to being named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. Pittsburgh was able to win even without star Ashton Gibbs, who missed his second straight game with an ankle injury. Of course, Washington State was playing without its leading scorer, Brock Motum, who injured his ankle against Oregon State. Motum was the Pac 12’s leading scorer.
Even without the leading scorers, both teams played a competitive Best of 3 series. The total margin of victory in all three games 11 points. Tonight’s game was the most “lopsided,” if it can be called that.
All in all, Pitt coach Jamie Dixon has to be pleased with the ability to get his young team all these additional games. The Panthers end the season with a 21-17 record.
And a trophy. Nobody else in the ACC can say that.
The Confidential 