Siulepa: 'Last thing you want hear is we played soft'

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Queensland's Australian Emus 2025 World Cup force Roman Siulepa has scored in double figures in back-to-back games for the Pittsburgh Panthers, the latest an 11 points in 24 minutes as the Panthers beat Eastern Michigan by 12 points on Tuesday, November 11, 2025 (AEDT).

Siulepa's head coach Jeff Capel was happy with the win but criticised his team for "playing soft" at times.

"I actually thought we got off to a good start tonight," Capel said.

"I thought we did some really good stuff early, and we built an 18-point lead with a little bit under six minutes left in the first half. At that point, we had two turnovers in the first half — they happened right around that time — and both of those turnovers led to threes for them. I felt like we played a little bit soft during that stretch, didn’t take good shots, didn’t generate the shots we wanted to generate."

Siulepa responded to Capel's assertion.

"The last thing you want to hear is that we played soft," he admitted.

"But like he said, there was a lot of good out there. I think it just comes back to training, getting those bad habits out of the way, and looking forward to the next game.

"I’m slowly trying to find my feet. But I’m just really locked in on the next game — what I can do better, fixing my problems, and moving on to the next.

"I think that’s one of my strengths (starting strong) — being able to take what the coaches say and start strong.

"I’ve got to be better in the second half though, come out with that same energy. But yeah, it’s just an energy thing — being excited for the game and trying to turn up early."

Elsewhere, Bailey Nunn led Cal State Fullerton to a 52-point win against Caltech while Max Mackinnon struggled from the floor in LSU's dominant win against New Orleans.

🇦🇺 Columbia 62 🇦🇺 Connecticut 89

Both Nicolo Romanelli (Jr, Columbia) and Jacob Furphy (Fr, Connecticut) didn't play.

New Orleans 58 🇦🇺 LSU 93

Brisbane-born senior Max Mackinnon had a quiet outing in LSU’s 93–58 win over New Orleans, finishing with two points, one rebound, one assist and two steals in 19 minutes. Mackinnon went 0-from-5 from the field (0-from-2 from three) but 2-of-2 at the line.

Iowa State 96 🇦🇺 Mississippi State 80

In his second game of the 2025–26 season, senior Achor Achor delivered an energetic performance despite Mississippi State’s 96–80 loss to No.16 Iowa State. The Melbourne-born forward logged 19 minutes, posting nine points, eight rebounds, and a steal while shooting 2-from-6 from the field and 5-of-6 from the free-throw line. Achor’s activity on the glass and ability to draw contact stood out as he continues to provide frontcourt depth and interior toughness for the Bulldogs.

🇦🇺 Cal State Fullerton  136 Caltech 82

Australian junior guard Bailey Nunn was highly effective in Cal State Fullerton’s 136-82 win 25 minutes as a starter and delivering a strong all-around performance. Nunn finished with 12 points, five rebounds (three offensive), and six assists, adding two steals and committing just one turnover. He shot 2-from-5 from the field (40.0%), including 2-from-5 from three, and was perfect at the line (6-of-6). His balance of scoring, playmaking, and hustle on the boards gave the Titans valuable stability in the backcourt.

Little Rock 72 🇦🇺 Milwaukee 92

Ballarat Freshman Ned Renfree is yet to play this season for Milwaukee

Eastern Michigan 66 🇦🇺 Pittsburgh 78

Freshman forward Roman Siulepa continued his strong collegiate start in Pittsburgh’s 78–66 win over Eastern Michigan. In 24 minutes, the Brisbane forward contributed 11 points, five rebounds, and assist, and steal, shooting 4-from-9 from the field (44.4%) and 1-from-2 from three, while going 2-of-4 at the free-throw line. His activity on both ends and improving offensive confidence have made him a valuable rotation piece early in the Panthers’ season.

Season to Date (through Nov 11)

• Games: 3 │ Points: 9.0 ppg │ Rebounds: 4.7 rpg │ Assists: 1.3 apg
• FG%: 42.9 │ 3PT%: 33.3 │ FT%: 50.0

Siulepa has scored in double figures in back-to-back games and is averaging nearly 25 minutes per outing. His blend of physicality, versatility, and composure is earning trust from Pittsburgh’s coaching staff as he adjusts quickly to the Division I level.

Freshman teammate Henry Lau didn't play.

Tomorrow — November 12, 2025

• New Mexico Highlands @ 🇦🇺 New Mexico State (1:30 PM) — Amarco Doyle (So)
• Northern Arizona @ 🇦🇺 Arizona (1:00 PM) — Anthony Dell’Orso (Sr)
• 🇦🇺 Central Arkansas @ Arkansas (12:00 PM) — Harry Beauchamp (Fr), Truman Byrne (Fr)
• 🇦🇺 Davidson @ 🇦🇺 Charlotte (11:00 AM) — RJ Greer (Fr, Davidson); Frank Oguche (Fr, Charlotte)
• Drexel @ 🇦🇺 Colgate (11:00 AM) — Ben Tweedy (So)
• Cleary University @ 🇦🇺 Detroit Mercy (11:00 AM) — Xavier Istomin-Monroe (Fr)
• Florida State @ 🇦🇺 Florida (11:00 AM) — Alex Condon (Jr), Alex Kovatchev (So)
• Wagner @ 🇦🇺 Fordham (11:00 AM) — Abass Bodija (Jr), Jack Whitbourn (Jr), Roor Akhuar (Fr)
• Northeastern @ 🇦🇺 Harvard (11:00 AM) — Luca Ace-Nasteski (Jr)
• Jacksonville @ 🇦🇺 High Point (11:00 AM) — Josh Ibukunoluwa (So)
• Southwestern Christian @ 🇦🇺 Incarnate Word (10:00 AM) — Lewis Rowe (Sr)
• NJIT @ 🇦🇺 Loyola Maryland (11:00 AM) — Emmett Adair (Fr)
• Arkansas State @ 🇦🇺 Missouri State (12:00 PM) — Ryder Cheesman (Fr)
• 🇦🇺 Ohio @ 🇦🇺 Saint Mary’s (2:00 PM) — Kiir Kuany (So, Ohio); Harry Wessels (Sr, Saint Mary’s), Joshua Dent (So, Saint Mary’s), Rory Hawke (So, Saint Mary’s)
• William & Mary @ 🇦🇺 Richmond (11:00 AM) — Will Johnston (Sr)
• 🇦🇺 UC Riverside @ New Mexico (1:00 PM) — Ben Waller (Fr)
• 🇦🇺 UTRGV @ Boise State (1:00 PM) — Marshal Destremau (Jr)
• Ball State @ 🇦🇺 Wisconsin (12:30 PM, BTN) — Austin Rapp (So)
• 🇦🇺 Wofford @ Auburn (12:00 PM) — Rex Sterling (Jr)
• 🇦🇺 Maryland Eastern Shore @ Nebraska (12:00 PM, B1G+) — Joseph Locandro (Sr)