Wednesday, November 27
Fort Myers, Fla.
7:30 p.m.
Northwestern
3-3,0-0Big Ten
59
vs
72
Pittsburgh
6-2,1-0ACC
1
2
F
Northwestern
23
36
59
Pittsburgh
25
47
72
'Cats Come Up Short in Championship of Ft. Myers Tip-Off
11/27/2019 10:01:00 PM | Men's Basketball
FT. MYERS, Fla. — Northwestern fell to Pittsburgh, 72-59, Wednesday evening in the championship game of the Rocket Mortgage Ft. Myers Tip-Off.
The Wildcats shot 36.5% (19-for-52) from the field and Pitt finished the contest 29-for-65 (44.6%) from the floor. Justin Champagnie led all scorers with 21 points. The Panthers had four players finish in double figures.
Pat Spencer led the Wildcats in scoring for the second straight game with 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting. He was named to the all-tournament team. Boo Buie scored a career-high 16 points in the effort. It was the first time Buie has broached double-figures.
Defense was the storyline in the first half as both teams shot under 37% from the field, while Northwestern held Pitt to 0-for-11 from behind the arc.
Pitt climbed out to a 19-11 lead with just under eight minutes to play in the half, but the Wildcats offense clicked and NU went on a 12-2 run to take the lead, 23-21. Spencer had six points during the run, while Nance and Beran each added a triple.
The Panthers answered the bell to take a 25-23 lead into the half. Northwestern held Pitt to an 0-for-11 mark from behind the arc in the first half. It was the first time this season NU has kept an opponent from converting on a triple in a half.
Northwestern could not overcome the deficit in the second half as the Panthers outscored the Wildcats, 47-36, in the second period.
Tonight's championship game was the fourth early-season tournament title game that the Wildcats have played in during the Chris Collins era.
Northwestern travels to Boston on Tuesday, Dec. 3, to battle Boston College in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. Tip is set for 6 p.m. CT.
Happy Thanksgiving!
The Wildcats shot 36.5% (19-for-52) from the field and Pitt finished the contest 29-for-65 (44.6%) from the floor. Justin Champagnie led all scorers with 21 points. The Panthers had four players finish in double figures.
Pat Spencer led the Wildcats in scoring for the second straight game with 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting. He was named to the all-tournament team. Boo Buie scored a career-high 16 points in the effort. It was the first time Buie has broached double-figures.
Defense was the storyline in the first half as both teams shot under 37% from the field, while Northwestern held Pitt to 0-for-11 from behind the arc.
Pitt climbed out to a 19-11 lead with just under eight minutes to play in the half, but the Wildcats offense clicked and NU went on a 12-2 run to take the lead, 23-21. Spencer had six points during the run, while Nance and Beran each added a triple.
The Panthers answered the bell to take a 25-23 lead into the half. Northwestern held Pitt to an 0-for-11 mark from behind the arc in the first half. It was the first time this season NU has kept an opponent from converting on a triple in a half.
Northwestern could not overcome the deficit in the second half as the Panthers outscored the Wildcats, 47-36, in the second period.
Tonight's championship game was the fourth early-season tournament title game that the Wildcats have played in during the Chris Collins era.
Northwestern travels to Boston on Tuesday, Dec. 3, to battle Boston College in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. Tip is set for 6 p.m. CT.
Happy Thanksgiving!
••••••
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook, check us out on Instagram, visit our Social Media page and download our mobile app from the Apple Store and Google Play! To get involved with the #B1GCats, become a season-ticket holder or join the Wildcat Fund!
Team Stats
NU
Pitt
FG%
.365
.446
3FG%
.318
.280
FT%
.875
.583
RB
29
44
TO
12
10
STL
2
5
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
18
FGM
7
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
5
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's BasketballNorthwestern Men's Basketball Cooking Competition
Sunday, July 20
GRITTY AS IT GETS: Brooks Barnhizer Supercut 🎥
Thursday, June 26
Men's Basketball - Chris Collins on B1G Today
Tuesday, April 08
Men's Basketball - Wisconsin Postgame Press Conference (3/13/25)
Thursday, March 13
