PITTSBURGH (Interstat) — Roman Siulepa scored 22 points to lead Pittsburgh to a 73-68 victory over Notre Dame in an Atlantic Coast Conference men’s basketball game Saturday at Petersen Events Center. The Panthers, who led 23-20 at halftime, held off a second-half surge from the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame’s Cole Certa scored 16 points and Logan Imes added 12. Pittsburgh improved to 10-17 overall, while Notre Dame fell to 12-15. Siulepa, a sophomore from Brisbane, Australia, added seven rebounds and three assists for the Panthers. Cameron Corhen had 13 points and eight rebounds, and Nojus Indrusaitis contributed 17 points. Carson Towt grabbed 13 rebounds for Notre Dame before an announced crowd of 6,406.

PITTSBURGH (Interstat) — In a game defined by a massive second-half surge, the Pittsburgh Panthers overcame a sluggish start and a relentless Notre Dame comeback to secure a 73-68 victory in Atlantic Coast Conference men’s basketball action Saturday afternoon at Petersen Events Center. A crowd of 6,406 watched the Panthers, who led by just three points at halftime, erupt for 50 points after the break to outlast the Fighting Irish. The win improved Pittsburgh’s record to 10-17 overall, while Notre Dame fell to 12-15. The most critical phase of the contest unfolded in the final minutes, a frantic sequence that saw Pittsburgh execute under pressure to seal the win. Leading 69-67 with under 45 seconds to play, Pittsburgh’s Roman Siulepa delivered a crucial dunk off an assist from Nojus Indrusaitis to push the lead to four. After a quick Notre Dame timeout, the Panthers’ defense forced a missed three-pointer from Cole Certa. Pittsburgh’s Omari Witherspoon then found Siulepa for another dunk with 16 seconds left, extending the lead to 71-67 and effectively extinguishing Notre Dame’s hopes. Notre Dame, which trailed 23-20 at halftime after a low-scoring first period, found its offensive rhythm after intermission, pouring in 48 points. The Fighting Irish fought back from a double-digit deficit in the second half, closing to within a single possession multiple times in the final five minutes, but could never reclaim the lead they held early in the game. The Panthers were propelled by a standout performance from sophomore guard Roman Siulepa. The Brisbane, Australia, native scored 22 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and dished out three assists, consistently providing offense when Pittsburgh needed it. His back-to-back dunks in the final minute were the decisive blows. Siulepa’s effort continued a strong individual stretch, following games of 14 and 19 points in his last two outings. Pittsburgh’s offense received balanced support. Freshman guard Nojus Indrusaitis of Lemont, Illinois, added 17 points and five rebounds, while forward Cameron Corhen of Allen, Texas, posted 13 points, eight rebounds, and was a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line. Omari Witherspoon contributed eight points, seven rebounds, and a team-high five assists. Notre Dame was led by the backcourt duo of Cole Certa and Logan Imes. Certa, a sophomore from Le Roy, Illinois, scored a team-high 16 points, including several key baskets during the Irish’s second-half rally. Imes, a junior from Zionsville, Indiana, filled the stat sheet with 12 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and a blocked shot. Forward Carson Towt of Gilbert, Arizona, dominated the glass, pulling down 13 rebounds to go with seven points and four assists. Reserve guard Ryder Frost provided a spark off the bench, hitting four three-pointers for all 12 of his points. The game began with Notre Dame seizing early momentum. Braeden Shrewsberry hit a three-pointer on the opening possession, and the Irish defense forced several Pittsburgh turnovers, helping build an initial advantage. The Panthers struggled to find any offensive flow for much of the first half, shooting poorly from the field. However, they managed to take a slim lead into the break thanks to a late first-half push. The second half was a stark contrast, as both teams’ offenses came alive. Pittsburgh opened the period with a 13-6 run, fueled by Siulepa’s outside shooting and Corhen’s work inside, to build its first substantial lead at 36-26. Each time the Panthers threatened to pull away, Notre Dame answered. A three-pointer from Frost, a driving layup from Sir Mohammed, and steady scoring from Certa kept the Irish within striking distance. With just over four minutes remaining, Indrusaitis hit a three-pointer to give Pittsburgh a 58-52 lead, but Notre Dame responded with a three from Frost and a Certa layup to make it a one-point game. The Panthers then scored on three consecutive possessions—a Corhen free throw, an Indrusaitis three, and a Witherspoon layup—to go ahead 65-59 with 2:39 left, setting the stage for the tense final sequence. According to the National Statistical ELO system, Pittsburgh entered the game with a 62.9% probability to win and was a 1.5-point pregame favorite. The total score of 141 points went over the betting over/under line of 138. Pittsburgh will next travel to face Stanford on Wednesday. Notre Dame returns home to host Duke on Tuesday.

Preview: Notre Dame at Pittsburgh PITTSBURGH (Interstat) — Two men’s basketball teams seeking to salvage difficult seasons will meet Saturday when the Notre Dame Fighting Irish visit the Pittsburgh Panthers in an Atlantic Coast Conference matchup at Petersen Events Center. The game, scheduled for Feb. 21, 2026, features a pair of programs below .500. Notre Dame (12-14 overall) arrives with modest momentum after an 89-74 home victory over Georgia Tech last Saturday. Pittsburgh (9-17) looks to snap a five-game losing streak, its most recent a 79-65 defeat at North Carolina. The matchup will hinge on the performance of each team’s standout scorer. Notre Dame sophomore guard Cole Certa is coming off a career-high 37-point performance against Georgia Tech, where he played all 40 minutes. Over his last seven games, Certa is averaging 21.9 points, including a 34-point outing in a double-overtime loss to Virginia. His scoring burst has been a bright spot for an Irish team that has lost eight of its last twelve. Pittsburgh will counter with junior forward Cameron Corhen, who is coming off his most complete game of the season. In the loss to the Tar Heels, Corhen posted 23 points, six rebounds and six assists. His versatility will be key for a Panthers’ offense that has struggled, failing to reach 70 points in four of its five consecutive losses. While Notre Dame’s offense has shown recent life, its defense remains a concern, having allowed an average of 84.4 points in its last five losses. Pittsburgh has had even greater difficulties scoring, held under 55 points twice during its current skid. The Panthers won the first meeting this season, 80-76 in overtime at Notre Dame on Jan. 27, behind a balanced effort. Certa scored 34 points in that loss for the Irish. With both teams near the bottom of the ACC standings, Saturday’s contest represents a critical opportunity to build confidence before the conference tournament. Following this game, Notre Dame hosts Duke on Feb. 24, while Pittsburgh begins a two-game West Coast trip at Stanford on Feb. 25. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. EST at Petersen Events Center.