Oct 9, 2024; Charlotte, NC, USA; Pittsburgh head coach Tory Verdi during ACC Media Days at The Hilton Charlotte Uptown. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images Pitt tied an NCAA record by completing a 32-point comeback to defeat visiting SMU on Sunday, 72-59.
The Panthers fell behind 46-14 with 1:37 left in the first half and went into intermission trailing 49-18.
But following a spirited halftime speech from head coach Tory Verdi, the Panthers reeled off 31 straight points, including outscoring SMU 28-0 in the third quarter. MaKayla Elmore capped the run — and tied the game — with a 3-pointer just over one minute into the fourth quarter.
After a pair of free throws from SMU’s Nya Robertson, Marley Washenitz canned a 3-pointer to provide Pitt a 52-51 lead, its first of the game.
From there, the Panthers outscored the Mustangs 20-8 to wrap the single-largest comeback in regulation in NCAA history.
The previous largest comeback, also 32 points, included overtime when Texas State defeated UTSA 73-71 on Feb. 18, 2006.
–Field Level Media
