Ndongo’s 23 points, 21 rebounds power Pitt comeback

Baye Ndongo recorded 23 points and 21 rebounds as Pittsburgh rallied past Buffalo 80-61 on November 5. Chase Foster added 20 points, and the Panthers improved to 2-0 while Buffalo fell to 0-2.

Pittsburgh trailed by 13 at halftime and was down 47-32 early in the second half. Consecutive three-pointers by Jonathan Powell brought the Panthers within 53-52. Naithan George then made two free throws to put Pittsburgh ahead 54-53 with 8:59 left.

The Panthers outscored Buffalo 48-16 after halftime and won the rebounding battle 50-27. Ndongo, a transfer from Georgia Tech, made 13 of 17 free throws and had two steals. His 20-point, 20-rebound outing was Pittsburgh’s first such performance since December 2020.

George finished with 16 points, seven assists and two steals. Foster added nine rebounds and two blocks, scoring 17 of his points after halftime. Drew Steffe led Buffalo with 15 points, while J.J. Starling had 13.

Pittsburgh is scheduled to host Penn State on November 8. Buffalo is set to play Penn State Schuylkill on November 9.