Pitt Basketball Opens 2025 Season with Key Frontcourt Performance
The Panthers secured a 74-59 victory over Youngstown State on the first night of the 2025 season. Though the win was not visually flawless, their dominance inside helped overcome a sluggish offensive start.
Frontcourt Strength and Grit
Pitt capitalized on its size advantage, scoring 18 points from second-chance opportunities while adopting a gritty style of play to ensure the win.
Standout Players
- Cameron Corhen: The senior forward led the Panthers with 23 points and 12 rebounds in 35 minutes. His steady presence provided reassurance as the team struggled early offensively.
- Papa Amadou Kante: The redshirt sophomore forward also played 35 minutes, pulling down 10 rebounds and demonstrating strong defensive footwork, showing versatility to guard multiple positions.
Freshman Contributions
First-year guard Omari Witherspoon and forward Roman Siulepa showed promise despite a cautious start. Witherspoon made a tough mid-range jumper, and Siulepa delivered a notable block. Both committed two turnovers each, highlighting the typical challenges of adjusting to ACC-level minutes.
"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’s consistent presence was a source of comfort for the Panthers as they looked disjointed on offense in the early going."
"Kante ... showed that he can guard any player on the court, which adds a dimension to Pitt’s defense."
"It is a challenge to play major minutes off the bat, especially in a conference like the ACC."
Summary: Pitt’s frontcourt dominance and veteran leadership overcame a slow offensive start, laying a solid foundation for the 2025 season despite early signs of adjustment from new players.