Pitt small forward Justin Champagnie returned from a four-week injury layoff and led his team to a 96-76 rout of Syracuse at the Petersen Events Center on Saturday. In his return, he posted his fourth double-double of the season and led the team with 24 points and 16 rebounds, and for his efforts, he was named the ACC Co-Player of the Week on Monday.
Champagnie’s performance was notably backloaded, as he shook off some rust early in the game and finished the first half with a modest six points and six rebounds. But in the final frame, the Brooklyn native looked absolutely resurgent as he went on a furious 18-point, 10-rebound tear and dunked on the hapless Orange repeatedly to signal to the world that he was back at 100 percent.