There were plenty of numbers on the stat sheet that pleased Pitt coach Jeff Capel after the Panthers opened the 2024-25 season Monday night with a 96-56 victory against Radford at Petersen Events Center.

He believes his team can score, so nothing about the career-high 21 points from sophomore guard Jaland Lowe and 19 from senior Ishmael Leggett — and their combined 15-of-24 shooting — was surprising.

All five starters, plus freshman Brandin Cummings (11 points), scored in double figures: Lowe, Leggett, Cam Corhen (12), Damian Dunn (11) and Guillermo Diaz Graham (10).

Of course, Capel knows the value of good defense, and Radford’s 31% shooting performance (18 of 58) and failure to score 60 points were two of the high points of the evening for him.

But what he hopes will set Pitt apart from his teams of the past two seasons is the offensive paint presence provided by Corhen, a 6-foot-10 forward. He hit 6 of his 10 shots, contributing to Pitt’s 50 points in the paint to Radford’s 16.

“He has an offensive ability that we haven’t had in a few years,” Capel said. “He can score with his back to the basket. He can put the ball on the floor. He can pass it. I think he’s really good 15 to 17 feet (from the basket).

“We’re going to work on those things and try to utilize those to help us.”

But points are just one element of the game that Capel hopes Corhen, a transfer from Florida State, can provide.

“He’s been in his career a really good offensive rebounder,” the coach said. “We’re going to challenge him to continue to do that at a high level. He didn’t do it as well (Monday night).”

Only one of Corhen’s five rebounds came off the offensive glass.

That was one minor hiccup on a night when a crowd of 6,579 showed up, eager to see what Capel’s seventh Pitt team can do.

Pitt led from start to finish against a Radford team that returned only three players from last season when the Highlanders were only 5-11 in the Big South.

The game was close until the latter minutes of the first half when Pitt turned a 26-21 lead with seven minutes left into an insurmountable 45-27 advantage when the teams went to their locker rooms.

Along with Corhen, Pitt put some variety into its offense.

Leggett repeatedly spun into the lane, making himself nearly impossible for Radford to guard. At one point, Leggett went high in the air to grab a missed shot and throw down an impressive dunk.

“Legs just feeling a little better,” he said.

Lowe, who will be Leggett’s running mate at guard, started the second half with a steal and fast-break layup. Less than a minute later, Leggett made an almost identical play. Lowe added six assists, five rebounds and three steals, and Leggett led Pitt with 12 rebounds.

Capel said Leggett, who transferred from Rhode Island last season, can fill several categories on the stat sheet because of his many athletic and character traits.

“Competitive, talented, low maintenance, worker, believer,” the coach said. “Since he’s been here, man, he’s locked in. We wouldn’t have been the team last year we were if it wasn’t for him. Not just accepting a role (as first man off the bench last season), but starring in a role. That’s why he’ll be terrific this year.

“Those guys are really competitive and really smart and they were able to take advantage of some things.” 

Capel wasn’t thrilled with Pitt’s rebounding, even with a 42-34 advantage. He expects it to improve.

“We collectively as a team need to rebound the basketball better,” he said, noting Radford had two offensive rebounds at the outeset of the game. “As we move up (in competition), different types of athletes, different tyypes of size, it’s something that people will really try to take advantage of.”

Cummings (Lincoln Park) had strong debut, handing out three assists with only one turnover in nearly 24 minutes off the bench.

“One of the big things I love about him,” Capel said, “he’s not afraid. I think that’s from where he grew up, who he was around, having an older brother (former Panthers point guard Nelly Cummings) who is a really good player and a really competitive guy. I love their relationship, how close they are.”

Capel described the younger Cummings as “quiet,” but that’s far from his on-court personality, he said.

“When he crosses those lines, he’s like he’s this manic, competitive guy. We need that.”

Pitt’s nonconference schedule continues Friday at the Pete against Murray State. Tipoff is 7 p.m.

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