PITTSBURGH, Feb. 3, 2026 – A late surge wasn’t enough for the University of Pittsburgh men’s basketball team as they fell to the University of Virginia, 78-72, Saturday night at John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Panthers fall Short Despite Second-Half Push
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pitt battled back from a double-digit deficit, but Virginia held on for the victory.
- Virginia led for the majority of the game, building a lead as large as 14 points in the first half.
- Pitt’s Nojus Indrusaitis led all scorers with 21 points, shooting 7-of-13 from the field.
- The Cavaliers were led by Reece Beekman, who scored 18 points and dished out six assists.
- Pitt’s record now stands at 16-8 overall and 7-6 in ACC play.
- Virginia improves to 18-6 overall and 9-4 in conference action.
The Panthers struggled to find their rhythm early, shooting just 38.5% from the field in the first half. Virginia, meanwhile, was efficient on offense, making 52.9% of their shots. The Cavaliers took a 42-32 lead into the locker room.
pitt came out with renewed energy in the second half, sparked by the play of Indrusaitis. The freshman guard scored 14 of his 21 points after halftime, helping the Panthers close the gap. With just under five minutes remaining, Pitt had cut the Virginia lead to just two points.
“We fought hard,but we just couldn’t quite get over the hump,” said Pitt coach Jeff Capel after the game. “Virginia is a tough team, and they made the plays down the stretch.”
However, Virginia responded with a 7-2 run to regain control. Beekman played a key role during the Cavaliers’ late surge, scoring five points and dishing out an assist. Pitt had one final opportunity to tie the game with under a minute remaining, but a three-point attempt by Blake Hinson rimmed out.
Indrusaitis Shines for pitt
Indrusaitis’ performance was a luminous spot for the Panthers. the freshman guard has been a consistent scorer for Pitt all season, averaging 14.8 points per game. His ability to create his own shot and knock down tough jumpers makes him a valuable asset for the team.
Hinson finished with 16 points and seven rebounds for Pitt, while Ishmael Leggett added 12 points. For Virginia, Armaan Franklin contributed 16 points, and Taine Murray scored 11.
Looking Ahead
Pitt will return home to face Syracuse on Tuesday, February 10, at the Petersen events Center. Virginia will travel to Miami to take on the Hurricanes on February 7.
Nojus Indrusaitis-Pitt’s leading scorer-is averaging 14.8 points per game as a freshman.He’s a key component of the Panthers’ offense, consistently contributing points and creating scoring opportunities. His performance is crucial to Pitt’s success.
