Pitt faced Florida State at the Petersen Events Center on Wednesday night in a rare season-opening ACC matchup, and while the new-look team was still led by the talented backcourt duo of Xavier Johnson and Trey McGowens, Ryan Murphy emerged as Pitt’s missing link.
In a game that began in haphazard fashion and eventually evolved into a thrilling 63-61 victory for Pitt, it was Murphy who helped the Panthers turn the corner and find their rhythm by providing reliable three-point shooting and solid complementary play. With his contribution of two three-pointers late in the first half, the team took a 19-18 lead and would enter halftime tied 25-25 with Florida State.