Pitt Defeats Syracuse in Overtime to Clinch ACC Tournament Berth

Sophomore Nojus Indrusaitis hits game-winning shot to send Panthers to ACC Tournament

Mar. 8, 2026 at 12:20am

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In a must-win game, the Pitt Panthers defeated their rival Syracuse Orange 71-69 in overtime to clinch a spot in the ACC Tournament. Sophomore Nojus Indrusaitis hit the game-winning shot with 5 seconds left in overtime to secure the victory for Pitt, who will now head to the conference tournament as the 15th and final seed.

Why it matters

This win was crucial for Pitt, as they were fighting to keep their season alive and earn a spot in the ACC Tournament. The Panthers have had a tough season, but this victory over their biggest rival on the road shows their resilience and ability to step up when the stakes are highest.

The details

Pitt was led by strong performances from Cameron Corhen (21 points) and Barry Dunning Jr. (17 points, 6 rebounds). Sophomore Nojus Indrusaitis scored 14 of his 16 points in the final 25 minutes, including the game-winning bucket in overtime. For Syracuse, Nate George scored a game-high 26 points, while Donnie Freeman recorded a double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds.

  • The game was played on Saturday, March 7, 2026.
  • Pitt will play their first-round ACC Tournament game on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.

The players

Nojus Indrusaitis

A sophomore on the Pitt Panthers basketball team who hit the game-winning shot in overtime to clinch their spot in the ACC Tournament.

Cameron Corhen

A Pitt Panthers player who led the team with 21 points in the victory over Syracuse.

Barry Dunning Jr.

A Pitt Panthers player who scored 17 points, including two 3-pointers, and grabbed 6 rebounds in the win.

Nate George

A Syracuse Orange player who scored a game-high 26 points in the losing effort.

Donnie Freeman

A Syracuse Orange player who recorded a double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds.

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What they’re saying

“Next Up: Charlotte 😼 Hail To Pitt 🔵🟡”

— Pitt Basketball, Official Twitter account

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This win for Pitt shows their resilience and ability to step up in high-pressure situations, clinching a spot in the ACC Tournament despite a tough season. The Panthers will look to carry this momentum into the postseason as they take on their next challenge.