PITTSBURGH — Blake Hinson scored 24 points on a program-record tying eight 3-pointers and Pittsburgh held on to defeat Wake Forest 81-79 on Wednesday night after blowing a 13-point second-half lead.
After Wake Forest took its only lead of the second half at 74-73 with 4:34 remaining, Pitt got consecutive 3-pointers from Greg Elliott and Hinson to go back up by five.
Tyree Appleby hit a 3-pointer and later added two free throws to get Wake Forest within 81-79 with 1:05 to go. Wake’s Cameron Hildreth grabbed a rebound at the other end, was fouled, and missed both free throws. Pitt rebounded with 37 seconds left and ended up with a shot-clock violation with five seconds remaining. After both teams used a timeout, Appleby missed a 3-pointer as time expired.
Hinson made 8 of 14 from 3-point range and Elliott made 6 of 9 for 18 points. The Panthers buried a program-record 18 3-pointers in 37 attempts (48.6%). Wake Forest made 10 3-pointers in 27 tries (37%).
After Elliott opened the second half with a 3-pointer, the Panthers led 52-39.
Nelly Cummings had 11 points and six assists for the Panthers (14-3, 7-3 ACC), Nike Sibande added 11 points off the bench and Federiko Federiko grabbed nine rebounds. Jamarius Burton had nine assists and Pittsburgh had 22 assists on 28 made baskets.
Appleby had 15 points and seven assists, and Hildreth had 15 points and seven rebounds for Wake Forest (14-7, 6-4). Andrew Carr and Daivien Williamson scored 14 points each.
The Panthers have surpassed their conference victory total from each of the past three seasons and have won 13 of their past 16 games.
Wake Forest hosts NC State on Saturday.
Campbell 72, High Point 64
HIGH POINT — Ricky Clemons scored 18 points as Campbell beat High Point 72-64 on Wednesday night.
Clemons added 10 rebounds for the Fighting Camels (9-12, 4-5 Big South Conference). Anthony Dell’Orso added 18 points and Jay Pal scored 15.
The Panthers (10-11, 2-7) were led in scoring by Zach Austin, who finished with 18 points and nine rebounds. High Point also got 12 points, eight rebounds and two blocks from Ahmard Harvey. Bryson Childress finished with 12 points, five assists and two steals.
UNC Asheville 88, Presbyterian 80 (OT)
ASHEVILLE — Drew Pember scored a school-record 48 points and UNC Asheville beat Presbyterian 88-80 in overtime on Wednesday night.
Pember’s 48 points are the most in a Division I game this season, bettering the 46 Western Illinois’ Trenton Massner on Monday and the 46 of Long Beach State’s Marcus Tsohonis last Saturday.
Pember made 14 of 24 shots overall, 8 of 10 3-pointers and 12 of 13 free throws he also contributed 12 rebounds for the Bulldogs (16-6, 8-1 Big South Conference). Tajion Jones added 13 points and three steals. The Bulldogs extended their winning streak to seven games.
Jalen Forrest finished with 26 points for the Blue Hose (5-17, 1-8). Terrell Ard Jr. added 17 points, 11 rebounds and two steals for Presbyterian, which has lost eight straight.
UNC Asheville visits Campbell on Saturday.
UNC Greensboro 62, VMI 50
GREENSBORO — Keyshaun Langley’s 14 points helped UNC Greensboro defeat VMI 62-50 on Wednesday night.
Langley also contributed five rebounds and three steals for the Spartans (14-8, 8-1 Southern Conference). Dante Treacy scored 14 points, and Bas Leyte recorded 12 points.
The Keydets (5-17, 0-9) were led by Tony Felder, who recorded 15 points and four assists. Rickey Bradley Jr. added 10 points and six rebounds for VMI. In addition, Asher Woods finished with nine points and eight rebounds. The Keydets have lost 11 straight.
UNC Greensboro next plays Sunday against Furman at home
Gardner-Webb 78, South Carolina Upstate 66
BOILING SPRINGS — Caleb Robinson scored 22 points to help Gardner-Webb defeat South Carolina Upstate 78-66 on Wednesday night.
Robinson shot 6 of 9 from the field and 9 for 9 from the line for the Runnin’ Bulldogs (10-11, 5-4 Big South Conference). DQ Nicholas scored 20 points and added six assists and three steals. Julien Soumaoro finished with 14 points.
The Spartans (9-11, 4-5) were led in scoring by Justin Bailey, who finished with 17 points. Jordan Gainey added 12 points and three steals for South Carolina Upstate. Mysta Goodloe also recorded 10 points.
The Citadel 81, Western Carolina 70
CULLOWHEE — Stephen Clark had 18 points in The Citadel’s 81-70 win against Western Carolina on Wednesday night.
Clark also contributed seven rebounds and eight assists for the Bulldogs (9-12, 4-5 Southern Conference). Austin Ash scored 16 points and added eight rebounds. Elijah Morgan recorded 16 points.
The Catamounts (11-11, 4-5) were led by Tre Jackson, who recorded 29 points. Western Carolina also got 17 points and eight rebounds from Tyzhaun Claude. Vonterius Woolbright also recorded 16 points, six rebounds and three steals.
