Tree of Life

07 Dec

Steelers Central

published in category: Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday, December 7th, 2015 – 3:47 pm

Hear from Ryan Shazier and David DeCastro. How frustrating does this Steelers team make you? World-beaters one week and then lose the next. If Steelers win out, they make the playoffs but at Bengals and Broncos at home next two weeks.

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Around the NFL with Russell Baxter & Steelers talk with Ken Laird and Josh Taylor. Postgame interviews with Cam Heyward, Ramon Foster and Antonio Brown.

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James Harrison, Brandon Boykin are up for the Frank Walker Law Defensive Player of the Week. Hear from Boykin after the game to talk about his pick and his first substantial playing time.

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Steelers blow out Colts but they are still outside of AFC Playoffs, looking at contenders schedules the rest of the way. Pirates at Winter Meetings and Pitt in the Military Bowl.

From Steelers PR- TEAM
• Pittsburgh improved to 7-5 overall, 5-2 at home and 4-4 vs. AFC opponents in 2015.

• The Steelers are now 16-6 against the Colts in regular-season history (11-2 at home).

• Pittsburgh has won each of its last three games vs. Indianapolis (Sept. 25, 2011: 23-20 and Oct. 26, 2014: 51-34).

• The Steelers improved to 4-0 vs. the Colts on Sunday Night Football (2-0 at home).

• Pittsburgh has won each of its five previous Sunday Night Football games.
• Pittsburgh is now 86-32-1 in the regular season at Heinz Field since the stadium opened in 2001, and 62-27-0 in interconference home games vs. AFC teams at Heinz Field.

• The Steelers have scored 30 points or more in five of 12 games in 2015, including each of the previous four.

• Pittsburgh has scored 30 points or more in four consecutive games for the first time in a single season in team history. It is the team’s first 30-point four game streak in any four game stretch since 1973-74 (Dec. 9, 1973-Sept. 22, 1974).

• The Steelers had a 300-yard passer (Ben Roethlisberger), a 100-yard rusher (DeAngelo Williams) and two 100-yard receivers (Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant) for the first time since 2014 (Dec. 7 at Cincinnati).

• Pittsburgh has posted 450 net yards in four consecutive games in a single season, tying an NFL record for most consecutive 450-yard games in a single-season (Kansas City: 2004, Miami: 1984 and Houston: 1961).

• The Steelers improved to 7-of-10 on two-point attempts in 2015, following a Ben Roethlisberger to Will Johnson conversion in the second quarter.

• Pittsburgh has set an NFL record for the most successful two point attempts in a single-season with seven (Miami, 1994 and Minnesota, 1997: 6).

• The Steelers posted five sacks for the fourth time in 2015 and increased its season total to 35

• Pittsburgh recorded its fourth red zone takeaway in 2015 – all interceptions – courtesy of a Jarvis Jones interception at the Steelers’ 1-yard line in the first quarter.

• The Steelers had two interceptions in the first quarter – its first opening quarter of a game with two interceptions since Sept. 26, 2004 vs. Miami. It was the defense’s sixth opening quarter of a game with two interceptions since 1991.

• The defense held the Colts to less than 100 rushing yards to mark the seventh time the team hasn’t allowed 100 rushing yards by an opponent in its 12 games in 2015.

Head Coach Mike Tomlin
• Is now 89-51 during the regular season, including 52-19 at home.

• Improved to 28-16 in primetime regular season games, 15-7 at home, (13-8 on Sunday Night Football, 7-4 at home), since being named the team’s head coach in 2007.

• Has led Pittsburgh to three consecutive wins vs. Indianapolis, improving his record to 3-1 against the Colts in the regular season (2-1 at home).

• Has led the Steelers to its fifth home win in 2015, extending his streak to nine consecutive seasons of at least five home wins since being named the team’s head coach in 2007.

• Is now 23-12 in the month of December as the Steelers’ head coach (16-6 at home).

• Is now 67-13 when the Steelers hold a lead at halftime.

QB Ben Roethlisberger
• Completed 24-of-39 passes for a game-high 364 yards with four touchdowns and zero interceptions for a passer rating of 126.4.

• Improved to 110-55 as a starter during the regular season, including 63-21 at home.

• Increased his Steelers’ franchise record for most wins as a starting quarterback to 110 (Terry Bradshaw, 107).

• Is now 3-2 against Indianapolis in the regular season as a starter (2-1 at home).

• Has completed 64-of-88 passes for 886 yards with 10 touchdowns and zero interceptions for a passer rating of 142.5 in his last two games vs. Indianapolis (Oct. 26, 2014 and Dec. 6, 2015).

• Has completed 201 passes in 2015 to mark his 10th consecutive season with 200 completions and joins Brett Favre (19), Drew Brees (14), Peyton Manning (13), Jim Kelly (11), Eli Manning (11), Dan Fouts (10) and Philip Rivers (10) as the eighth player in NFL history with 10 straight seasons with 200 completions.

• Has thrown for 2,707 yards in 2015 to mark his 10th consecutive season with 2,500 passing yards and joins Brett Favre (19), Peyton Manning (13), Drew Brees (12), Jim Kelly (11), Eli Manning (11), Dan Fouts (10) and Philip Rivers (10) as the eighth player in NFL history with 10 straight seasons of 2,500 passing yards.

• Totaled 364 passing yards, his 43rd 300-yard passing game of his career during the regular season, extending his franchise record.

• Eclipsed 300 passing yards for the third time in his career against the Colts in five starts, including each of the past three (Sept. 25, 2011: 364 and Oct. 26, 2014: 522).

• Has thrown for 300 or more yards in each of the last four games, the longest active streak in the NFL (Week 9: 334, Week 10: 379 and Week 12: 456) and a new career-long streak (three consecutive games, four previous occasions).

• Has thrown for 350 passing yards or more for the third straight game, matching a career-long streak (Nov. 30-Dec. 14, 2014).

Posted in Pittsburgh Steelers

 

07 Dec

Live from MLB Winter Meetings

published in category: Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday, December 7th, 2015 – 1:22 pm

Bucs Beat Writer Travis Sawchik checks in live from the MLB Winter Meetings with Junker, Laird and Benz. Updates and trade rumors every day this week with Sawchik and Rob Biertempfel on TribLIVE Radio.

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The Pittsburgh Pirates today announced the signing of six minor league free agents, which includes
an invitation to Major League spring training camp.
Wilfredo Boscan (RHP) – Ranked second on Indianapolis pitching staff in wins (10), starts (23) and
innings pitched (126.0) in 2015…Also ranked ninth in the International League in ERA last season…Won
each of his last six decisions with Indianapolis to end the regular season…Also had three separate stints
with Pittsburgh last season but did not appear in a game.
Cole Figueroa (INF) – Ranked ninth in the International League in batting average (.292) last season
while playing for Scranton-Wilkes Barre…Also played in two games for the Yankees, where he went 2-for-8
with a pair of doubles…Has a career average of .235 (12-for-51) with four doubles, one triple and six RBI
in 25 games in the big leagues with Tampa Bay (2014) and the Yankees (2015).
Deolis Guerra (RHP) – Went 2-1 with a 1.23 ERA (36.2ip/5er) in 25 relief appearances with Triple-A
Indianapolis in 2015…Also went 2-0 with a 6.48 ERA in 10 relief appearances with Pittsburgh…Ranked
third among International League relievers in batting average against (.165) at the time of his promotion
to the big leagues on June 26.
Danny Ortiz (OF) – Spent the entire 2015 season with Triple-A Rochester, where he hit .248 (120-for-
484) with 31 doubles, three triples, 17 home runs and 78 RBI in 131 games…Ranked fifth in the International
League last season in RBI (78) and extra base hits (51)…Spent his entire career in the Twins
organization after being selected by Minnesota in the fourth round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft.
Curtis Partch (RHP) – Spent the entire 2015 season with Triple-A Sacramento, where he went 1-3
with one save, a 3.53 ERA (63.2ip/25er) and 81 strikeouts in 48 appearances (one start)…Has a career
record of 46-55 with 25 saves and a 4.74 ERA (820.0ip/432er) in 307 appearances (105 starts) in the
minor leagues…Has recorded a career record of 1-1 with a 4.75 ERA (30.1ip/16er) in 20 appearances
in the big leagues with Cincinnati (2013-14).
Robert Zarate (LHP) – Attended spring training last season with Tampa Bay…Posted a combined record
of 2-1 with two saves, a 2.76 ERA (42.1ip/13er) and 51 strikeouts in 18 appearances (five starts)
last season between Single-A Charlotte and Triple-A Durham.

Posted in Pittsburgh Pirates

 

07 Dec

Pitt in Military Bowl

published in category: College Sports on Monday, December 7th, 2015 – 9:34 am

Pitt will play Navy in the Military Bowl, Chris Peak on why the Panthers got passed over for better bowls. Perception that Pitt does not travel well or even attend home games hurts them in this process.

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From Pitt PR-For the eighth consecutive season and 32nd time overall, the Pitt football team is headed to a bowl game.

The Panthers received their official invite this afternoon from the Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman and will play Navy of the American Athletic Conference in Annapolis, Md. The ESPN nationally televised game, which benefits the USO, will be played in Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on Monday, Dec. 28, and kick off at 2:30 p.m. (ET).

“The Military Bowl is a tremendous opportunity for our team to end the season against a nationally ranked opponent,” Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi said. “Navy is a Top 25 team with a Heisman-caliber quarterback in Keenan Reynolds. They will present us with a formidable challenge.

“Given our close proximity to Annapolis, we are looking for a great contingent of Pitt fans to make the short trek and see us play one more time this year.”

In Narduzzi’s debut season, the Panthers have compiled an 8-4 record, their winningest regular season in six years. Pitt went 6-2 in the Atlantic Coast Conference, finishing as the runner-up in the Coastal Division.

Navy is 9-2 and ranked as high as No. 21 nationally. The Midshipmen conclude their regular season this Saturday against Army.

This will be the 40th meeting between Pitt and Navy—and first bowl matchup—in a series that dates back to 1912. The Panthers lead the series, 22-14-3.

Posted in College Sports

 

07 Dec

SUNDAY NIGHT SUPERLATIVES by Tim Benz

published in category: Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday, December 7th, 2015 – 9:15 am

On a night where a lot of players and plays stood out, here is our best of the best from the Steeler 45-10 victory over the Colts at Heinz Field

NUMBER OF THE NIGHT…1: As in just one target and reception for Indianapolis WR Donte Moncrief. He had eight catches last week en route to 114 yards for the Colts. Also, one represented the total number of times Pittsburgh had to punt the entire evening.

PERSONNEL DECISION OF THE NIGHT: Playing Brandon Boykin. Finally. A little less Antwon Blake helps. A little more Brandon Boykin helps too. Now that he has finally been allowed onto the field, maybe his first impression will get him there more often. He had an interception and another pass defensed and was generally solid. Too bad Mike Tomlin threw cold water on the performance afterwards when he poo-pooed Boykin’s impact.

THROW OF THE NIGHT: Ben Roethlisberger made a lot of them. He was 24-39 for 365 yards with 4 TDS. But his 2nd and 10 throw to Antonio Brown from the IND 41 was a thing of beauty. He timed a difficult throw across the field perfectly and dropped it over one defender and in front of another right into Brown’s hands along the sideline for 26 yards. That set up a TD that made it 14-10 Pittsburgh. Only two or three other quarterbacks in the league are even capable of making a pass like that.

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HUSTLE PLAY OF THE NIGHT: Cam Heyward. Who else. On a night where the defense showed far more good than bad, one play was a negative. Colts RB Frank Gore had a catch and run of 34 yards when he broke three weak tackle attempts by Steeler defenders. But Heyward busted his butt all the way down the field to tackle Gore. While Gore ran about 28 yards after the catch, Heyward probably had to run about 40 to catch him. And he did. Cam Heyward is Pittsburgh’s best defensive player by a mile.

REALITY CHECK OF THE NIGHT: The Steelers are still out of a playoff spot. The Chiefs and the Jets both had comeback wins. So they hold the two Wild Card spots as of now. New York will be at least favored to win its next two games. And Kansas City will likely to be favored to win all of its next four. Meanwhile the Steelers will likely be underdogs the next two weeks.

REALITY CHECK OF THE NIGHT… PART TWO: As of now, if the Steelers do grab the last Wild Card spot, they may have to go to New England. The Patriots have sunk to third place in the AFC after losing for a second straight time. That could change though, seeing as how if Pittsburgh gets in, they may have to beat the top two teams in the AFC to do it (Cincy & Denver). And the Bengals and Broncos still play each other.

REDEMPTION OF THE NIGHT: The outside linebackers. As a unit, this group has struggled in recent weeks. In Seattle, for instance, offensive guard David Decastro had two tackles. That was as many as outside linebackers Bud Dupree, Jarvis Jones, and James Harrison combined. But against the Colts. James Harrison had three sacks and a forced fumble. Arthur Moats had a sack. And Jarvis Jones had an interception.

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PENALTY OF THE NIGHT: Kicker Chris Boswell getting a facemask in a desperate effort to drag down kick returner Quan Bray. I always see a manly side to a kicker getting a personal foul. Way more manly than Antonio Brown getting a penalty for his bad impersonation of a pole dancer at Cheerleaders or Blush after his punt return TD.

PARTY FOUL OF THE NIGHT: Hey Steeler fans, Heath Miller didn’t play. The white guy catching passes Sunday was Jesse James.

ODDITY OF THE NIGHT: Have we ever seen a game at Heinz Field where there were three turnovers before the pre game firework smoke had cleared?

Posted in Pittsburgh Steelers

 

04 Dec

Conner announcement

published in category: College Sports on Friday, December 4th, 2015 – 3:53 pm

Kevin Gorman and Jerry DiPaola on- Pitt All-America running back James Conner announced today he has been diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma.

“When I heard those words—‘You have cancer’—I admit I was scared,” Conner said. “But after thinking about it for a bit, I realized that fear is a choice. I choose to not fear cancer. I choose to fight it and I will win.

“One year ago today I was asking myself, ‘Why me?’ Why was I the lucky one to be getting the ACC Player of the Year award when I had so many teammates who deserved it as much as me? Now one year later, instead of asking, ‘Why me?’ I am saying, ‘Why not me?’ I can beat cancer.

“I know there are so many people in the world who were told by their doctors this week that they also have cancer. I want them to know that together we can—and will—beat cancer.

“I will play football again. I will be at Heinz Field again. I have the best coaches and teammates in the country. I thank God I chose Pitt because now I also have the best doctors in the country and together we will win. I know this city has my back.”

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Pitt head football coach Pat Narduzzi said he has no doubt that Conner will triumph over this adversity.

“It has been almost a year since I first met James and I’ve learned many things about him during that time,” Narduzzi said. “Yes, he is a talented football player, but more importantly he is an exceptional person. Being an athlete is just a small fraction of who he is. James cares deeply about others. He is invested in his community and helping people in need.

“Know this: James Conner will not face this challenge alone. We are all going to be right beside him every step of the way. And the day that he is declared cancer free, we will all celebrate like we do after one of his patented touchdown runs. James has never backed down from an opponent and we all know this is a battle he will win.”

A native of Erie, Pa., and graduate of McDowell High School, Conner’s athletic achievements are well documented. As a Pitt sophomore in 2014, he was selected the Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year after rushing for 1,765 yards and 26 touchdowns. Conner was named to seven postseason All-America squads, including first-team honors from the AFCA.

But Conner has been an All-American off the field as well. Although sidelined this season due to a knee injury, he was honored this fall as a member of the prestigious Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, a select group of football student-athletes who have made a positive impact on others and their communities. -From Pitt PR

Posted in College Sports

 

04 Dec

Pens Roundtable

published in category: Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday, December 4th, 2015 – 3:49 pm

This Roundtable Show is BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE TEAM SPANOS GROUP OF RAYMOND JAMES. RECENTLY HIGHLIGHTED AS THE FACE OF FINANCIAL GUIDANCE IN PITTSBURGH MAGAZINE. Pens Beat Writer on the road with the team joins Ken Laird and Josh Taylor for one hour of the best Penguins talk.

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In other words, if you are now questioning if you’ve saved enough to eat in retirement, call the financial advisors of The Spanos Group of Raymond James at 866-916-Retire to develop a written Financial Goal Plan tailored to your resources and financial goals. Spanos Group, Pittsburgh Magazine’s Face of Financial Guidance.
That number is 866-916-retire.
Raymond James & Associates, Inc., member New York Stock Exchange, SIPC

Posted in Pittsburgh Penguins

 

04 Dec

RMU #1 Power Play in nation

published in category: College Sports on Friday, December 4th, 2015 – 10:13 am

Derek Schooley joins Laird, Benz & Taylor on Robert Morris having the #1 Power Play and #1 scoring offense in nation.

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RMU PR staff- Robert Morris men’s hockey hits the road after its’ first weekend sweep for an Atlantic Hockey conference series at Rochester Institute of Technology. Robert Morris leads the all-time series between the two schools, 9-5-4 and won the regular season series last season, 3-1. RIT is 2-3-3 all-time against the Colonials in Rochester. Last season, the team’s split their series in Rochester with matching 4-3 victories.

RECORD SETTER
Lynch’s two shorthanded goals against SHU mark a streak of four consecutive games with shorthanded goals, an NCAA record. Lynch leads all active college hockey players with a total of 10 career shorthanded goals, also an RMU record.

FIRST THINGS FIRST
The Colonials have 21 1st period goals in 12 games, the most in college hockey.

ROAD WARRIORS
RMU is the nation’s 4th highest road scoring team with 27 goals away from home, third in goals/per game on the road with 4.5

NATION’S BEST
The Colonials power play is the best in the NCAA, converting 33.3% of chances. Seven players have PPG;Brandon Denham & Brady Ferguson have 3, Matt Cope, Greg Gibson, Dan Leavens & Zac Lynch each have 2. Chase Golightly has one.

HOT LINE BLING
The Colonials top line of Leavens – Gibson – Lynch have combined for 52 points this season; the highest scoring line in Atlantic Hockey, second highest in the country, tied with Boston College’s Gaudreau-White-Fitzgerald, behind New Hampshire’s Correale-Poturalski -Kelleher who have 58 points.

WALL OF DEFENSE
Rob Mann is ranked 9th in the nation in blocks per game (2.50), blocking 30 shots (16th) in 12 games. Mann is 3rd in the conference in blocks & in B/PG. Tyson Wilson is 6th in the conference in blocks per game (2.00), 8th in blocks (24), tied for 12th most points by a defenseman nationally (10) tied for 7th in assists by a defenseman (9).

LYNCH LEAVING HIS MARK
Lynch is currently fourth in the nation in points this season, third in career points among active players with 122 pionts. The Pittsburgh native is also 4th in assists (71) and is 8th in goals (51). Lynch is also & tied for 11th in power play goals (15).

Posted in College Sports

 

04 Dec

City Game Preview

published in category: College Sports on Friday, December 4th, 2015 – 10:09 am

Previewing Pitt vs. the Dukes tonight at Consol Energy Center with Josh Taylor and Pitt Hoops Beat Writer John Harris. Talking about the history of the series, the line-ups for tonight.

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From Pitt PR-

THE OPENING TIP
• Pitt faces cross-town foe Duquesne Friday, Dec. 4 (7 p.m. – CBS Sports Network) at CONSOL Energy Center in the City Game.
• Jason Knapp (play-by-play) and Mo Cassara (analyst) will call Friday’s action on CBS Sports Network. Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play), Dick Groat (analyst) and Curtis Aiken (analyst) will have the radio call on the Pitt IMG Sports Network.
• The Panthers have won 14 consecutive games against Duquesne with the past five wins coming at CONSOL Energy Center.

LAST TIME OUT
• Pitt dropped its first game of the season, 72-59, to No. 11 Purdue Tuesday in a Big Ten / ACC Challenge matchup.
• Michael Young recorded his second double-double of the season with 16 points and 12 rebounds, including five offensive boards.
• James Robinson scored a team-high 17 points to go along with four assists, one block and a steal in the loss.
• Pitt fell behind 24-7 just under 10 minutes into the game before closing the half on a 19-5 run to trail 29-26 at intermission.
• The Panthers grabbed a one-point lead on a Robinson jumper with 12:21 remaining, but Purdue made 5-of-7 three-point field goals down the stretch to come away with the win.
• Pitt allowed a season-high 11 three-point field goals with Purdue going 6-of-11 from long range in the second half.
• The Panthers had season-lows in scoring (59), field goal percentage (.351), three-point percentage (.211) and assists (14).

BY THE NUMBERS
• Pitt and Duquesne played the first basketball game at CONSOL Energy Center Dec. 1, 2001. The Panthers came away with an 80-66 victory as Ashton Gibbs scored a team-high 22 points.
• Pitt has not lost back-to-back non-conference games since the 2006-07 season. The Panthers fell to No. 7 Wisconsin and No. 15 Oklahoma State in mid-December of that season.
• The Panthers are 66-34 following a loss under Jamie Dixon (does not include results after season ending losses).
• Pitt is 119-66 (.643) all-time against teams currently in the Atlantic 10 conference, including a 21-2 mark under Jamie Dixon.
• The Panthers have won 11 consecutive regular season contests versus Atlantic 10 opponents.
• Michael Young is the only player in the ACC to rank among the conference leaders in scoring, rebounds, offensive rebounds, defensive rebounds, field goal percentage and assists.
• The trio of Jamel Artis, James Robinson and Michael Young has started 39 consecutive games as a unit. Robinson has started 107 of 108 career contests, while Young has started every game (75) of his career.
• James Robinson owns a career 3.59:1 assist-to-turnover ratio, tops in ACC history (minimum two years and 300 assists). Robinson has recorded more assists than turnovers in 101 of 108 career games. He has 23 assists and four turnovers through five games this season.
• Pitt’s post rotation of Michael Young, Ryan Luther, Sheldon Jeter, Alonzo Nelson-Ododa and Rafael Maia combines to average 35.4 points and 23.4 rebounds per game, while shooting 55.3 percent (68-of-123) from the field.
• Pitt’s bench has been productive, averaging 34.0 points per game, in the early part of the season. The Panthers have had six double-figure scorers off the bench this season. Sheldon Jeter has a pair of double-digit scoring efforts, while Chris Jones scored a season-high 15 points off the bench against Cornell.
• James Robinson currently ranks eighth at Pitt with 461 career assists. He has recorded at least one assist in 67 straight games, tied for the fourth-longest streak in program history.
• Pitt is 5-1 all-time at CONSOL Energy Center with all five wins coming in the City Game against Duquesne. The Panthers loss was to No. 11 Tennessee, 83-76, Dec. 11, 2010 in the SEC / Big East Invitational.
• The previous five Pitt-Duquesne games at CONSOL Energy Center averaged 13,576 fans with the top attendance of 15,880 on Nov. 30, 2011.
• James Robinson scored a career-high 23 points in last season’s win over Duquesne. He is averaging 13.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists per game in three career wins over the Dukes.
• The Panthers are averaging 12.8 offensive rebounds and 17.6 second chance points per game. Pitt has a 88-43 advantage on second chance points through five games.
• Pitt leads the ACC in assists (20.8 apg.) and blocked shots (5.8 bpg.), while also ranking second in free throw percentage (.770), field goal percentage defense (.368), three-point field goal percentage defense (.324) and assist-to-turnover ratio (2.04:1).
• Pitt is 267-59 against unranked opponents under Jamie Dixon.
• The Panthers are looking to snap a three-game losing streak away from the Petersen Events Center. Pitt was just 5-11 in road/neutral games last season.
• Jamel Artis has scored in double-figures in the first half three times on the year. He is averaging 10.2 points on 18-of-29 (.621) shooting in the opening half of play.
• Pitt has won six straight games in the month of December and is 16-3 in the month over the past three seasons. Jamie Dixon owns a 72-10 mark in the month of December for his career.
• Pitt has a +15.7 scoring margin during its current 14-game win streak over Duquesne. The Panthers have won eight of the games during that stretch by 15 or more points.

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Posted in College Sports

 



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