Pitt blasts Iowa State, advances to Round of 32 vs. Xavier
Let’s call it how we saw it: Pitt basketball did unspeakable things to 6-seed Iowa State Friday night. The Panthers leapt out to a 22-2 lead and never looked back, cruising to a 59-41 victory. With the win, they continue the streak of a first four teams advancing past the first round.
The Panthers played elite defense Friday, paired with a poor shooting performance by the Cyclones. On top of that, 3 Panthers scored in double digits to solidify Pitt’s first NCAA Tournament win since 2014, not counting the First Four.
Who’s next⁉️
WE KEEP DANCING. pic.twitter.com/XdIOabPmmA
— Pitt Basketball (@Pitt_MBB) March 17, 2023
Pitt kind of backed into the NCAA Tournament, too. The Panthers lost 3 of their last 4 games of the season, beating only Georgia Tech in the ACC Tournament.
They now advance to take on a Xavier squad that squeaked past a Kennesaw State team with nothing to lose. The Musketeers erased a 13-point deficit late in the 2nd half to move on to the Rounds of 32.
Tip times for Sunday have not yet been announced.