Brandin Cummings was the hero for the Pittsburgh Panthers on Wednesday night, as he scored a career-high 23 points to lead his team to a crucial 81-74 victory over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Cummings was on fire from the start, and he seemed to have an answer every time Georgia Tech made a run. His performance was a much-needed boost for a Pitt team that has struggled with inconsistency this season. The win improves the Panthers' conference record and keeps their hopes of a postseason berth alive. For Georgia Tech, it was another disappointing loss in a season that has been filled with them. The Yellow Jackets have now lost four straight games, and they are quickly falling to the bottom of the ACC standings.

A Tale of Two Halves

The first half was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading baskets. Pitt took a slim lead into halftime, but Georgia Tech came out of the locker room with a renewed sense of urgency. The Yellow Jackets went on a run to start the second half and took their first lead of the game. It looked as if they might be able to pull away, but that's when Brandin Cummings took over. He scored 15 of his 23 points in the second half, and he made several clutch shots to keep Pitt in the game. The Panthers were able to regain the lead in the final minutes, and they held on for the hard-fought victory.

Brandin Cummings: A Star in the Making?

Brandin Cummings has been a solid role player for Pitt this season, but his performance against Georgia Tech was a revelation. He showed that he has the potential to be a go-to scorer for the Panthers, and he will be a key player for them down the stretch. Cummings is a versatile guard who can score from all three levels. He is also a good defender and a willing passer. If he can continue to play at this level, Pitt will be a dangerous team in the ACC tournament.

Georgia Tech's Struggles Continue

It was another frustrating night for Georgia Tech, as they once again failed to close out a close game. The Yellow Jackets have been competitive in most of their games this season, but they have not been able to find a way to win. Their offense has been inconsistent, and their defense has been porous. They will need to make some major adjustments if they want to turn their season around. The schedule doesn't get any easier for them, as they have a tough stretch of games coming up against some of the top teams in the conference.

What's Next?

Pitt will look to build on this momentum when they travel to face a ranked opponent in their next game. A win on the road would be a huge boost to their NCAA tournament resume. As for Georgia Tech, they will return home to face a struggling conference opponent. This is a must-win game for the Yellow Jackets if they want to have any hope of salvaging their season.