Pitt Dominates Rival Penn State Behind Roman Siulepa’s Breakout Performance
HERSHEY, Pa. - The Pitt Panthers didn’t just win a rivalry game on Sunday afternoon - they made a statement. In front of a split crowd of over 8,000 fans at the Giant Center, Pitt dismantled Penn State 80-46, putting together one of their most complete performances of the season and delivering an early holiday gift to their fanbase.
From the opening tip, Pitt seized control and never looked back. The Panthers jumped out to a double-digit lead just over six minutes into the game and kept the Nittany Lions at arm’s length the rest of the way.
By halftime, the lead had ballooned to 20. By the final buzzer, it was a 34-point rout.
And at the heart of it all? Freshman Roman Siulepa, who announced his arrival in a big way.
Siulepa’s Coming-Out Party
This was the Roman Siulepa game. The freshman from Australia - long considered one of Pitt’s most intriguing offseason additions - finally put it all together in a performance that showed exactly why there was buzz around him coming into the season.
Siulepa poured in a career-high 28 points on 9-of-15 shooting, including a scorching 4-of-5 from deep. He scored in every way imaginable - catch-and-shoot threes, slashes to the rim, even a thunderous dunk that brought the Pitt faithful in Hershey to their feet. At one point in the second half, he scored 10 straight points by himself, completely breaking Penn State’s will.
This wasn’t just a hot night - it was a glimpse of what Siulepa can be when everything clicks. For a player who had shown flashes earlier in the year, including a 20-point outing against Quinnipiac, this was the breakout everyone had been waiting for.
Balanced Offense, Relentless Defense
While Siulepa stole the show, Pitt’s win wasn’t a one-man act. The Panthers played with poise, balance, and energy on both ends of the floor.
Seven different players scored in the first half, and by the time Siulepa reached double figures - not until the 14:09 mark of the second half - Pitt had already built a commanding lead. Omari Witherspoon, another true freshman, gave the Panthers a big lift off the bench with 15 points, while senior point guard Demarco Minor added 11 points, seven assists, four rebounds, and two steals in a complete all-around effort.
Minor’s impact went beyond the box score. His leadership and control of the tempo were crucial, especially late in the first half when he buried a corner three with 17 seconds left to push Pitt’s lead to 20. He later hit another triple midway through the second half that helped spark the Panthers’ final push.
On the defensive end, Pitt was stifling. Penn State managed just three scorers in the first half and finished with only one player - Freddie Dilione, who had 23 - in double figures. The Nittany Lions never found rhythm offensively, and Pitt’s defensive pressure was a big reason why.
Hot Start from Deep, Then a Mid-Game Cooldown
Pitt came out firing from beyond the arc, hitting its first five made field goals from three-point range. It looked like the Panthers might pick up right where they left off after draining a season-high 16 threes against Binghamton earlier in the week.
But the shooting cooled off as the game went on. Pitt missed its first five threes of the second half, allowing Penn State to briefly cut the deficit to 12 on a Kayden Mingo bucket with 13:40 to play. That was as close as the Nittany Lions would get.
Siulepa reignited the offense with his personal scoring run, and Pitt finished 12-of-24 from deep - a strong number overall, but one that came in waves. The Panthers’ perimeter game has shown more promise than expected this season, but Sunday’s performance was another reminder that the shooting can be streaky within games.
Minor’s Major Impact
Demarco Minor may not have led the team in scoring, but his fingerprints were all over this win. The senior point guard was the steady hand Pitt needed, orchestrating the offense with precision and making timely plays throughout.
His first-half three to stretch the lead before the break was a dagger, and his ability to find open shooters and push the pace kept Penn State on its heels. Minor’s 31 minutes were filled with meaningful contributions - whether it was a pinpoint assist, a defensive stop, or a momentum-shifting bucket.
For a team leaning on young talent, Minor’s experience and composure are invaluable.
Panthers Keep Rolling at the Giant Center
Sunday’s game marked the first-ever college basketball matchup at the Giant Center - a venue more known for hosting high school championships and hockey games - and Pitt made it a memorable one.
Sophomore guard Brandin Cummings, who won two PIAA state titles in this very building with Lincoln Park Charter, kept his personal undefeated streak in Hershey alive. He added eight points and six rebounds off the bench, contributing to the Panthers’ depth and energy.
Rivalry Renewed, Series Tightens
This was the 149th all-time meeting between Pitt and Penn State, but the first since 2017. And it had all the makings of a rivalry game - a neutral site, a split crowd, and plenty of emotion on both sides.
With the win, Pitt narrows the all-time series gap to 76-73 in favor of Penn State. Whether this matchup becomes an annual event again remains to be seen, but Sunday’s turnout and intensity showed there’s still plenty of juice in this in-state rivalry.
What’s Next
Pitt now heads into the holiday break with momentum and a 7-6 overall record. While the Panthers went just 2-4 in non-conference games against Power Five opponents, they’ve now beaten both Ohio State and Penn State - technically making them 2-0 against Big Ten competition.
The next test comes December 30th, when Pitt travels to Miami to open ACC play. The Hurricanes are off to a strong 10-2 start and will present a significant challenge, especially on the road. But if Sunday’s version of the Panthers shows up - the one with confident shooters, connected defenders, and a rising star in Siulepa - they’ll be ready for whatever comes next.