Pitt to Host Slippery Rock in Shoot Down Cancer Exhibition Game Presented by UPMC Hillman Cancer Center

PITTSBURGH – A new look Pitt men's basketball team takes the floor for the first time in front of fans Saturday, Nov. 4 as the Panthers host Division II Slippery Rock in its Shoot Down Cancer Exhibition Game presented by UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. Game time is set for 2 p.m. with all students invited to participate in an on-court event immediately following the contest.

Head coach Kevin Stallings and the Oakland Zoo will spearhead the fundraising efforts to raise money in the fight against cancer by donating $1 for every fan in attendance. The University of Pittsburgh athletic department will also contribute $5 per single-game ticket purchased. All proceeds from the event will go to local pediatric cancer research. Tickets for the game can be purchase by calling the Panthers Ticket Office at 800-643-7488 or by clicking HERE.

Members of the Oakland Zoo will have an additional opportunity to join in the fight following the game by coming to the court to "Shoot Down Cancer". Each member of the Oakland Zoo in attendance will have the chance to make a free throw, three-point shot and half-court shot to help raise funds at the event. The postgame event will also feature pizza for students as well as the opportunity to interact with current players and coaches on the Petersen Events Center floor.

Stallings enters his second year in charge of the program with almost an entirely new roster anchored by seniors Ryan Luther and Jonathan Milligan. In fact, Pitt leads the NCAA in scholarship newcomers (11), scholarship true freshmen (seven) and fewest returning minutes played from a year ago (648). Despite the plethora of new faces, Stallings is excited about the effort, competitiveness and direction of his program.

"These guys do a good job of really competing," said Stallings. "There is great energy in the gym, the buy in is great and their effort has been impressive to me. I have great confidence in the character of our team. Thus far they are a very together team and they are very coachable."

Slippery Rock returns three starters from a team that finished 14-15 a year ago. The Rock is led by redshirt senior guard Khyree Wooten (8.7 ppg.) and senior center Christal Malalu (7.7 ppg., 6.9 rpg.). Head coach Kevin Reynolds enters his 10^th season at Slippery Rock with a 167-100 record.

Pitt is 58-5 all-time in exhibition game play, including a 3-0 mark against Slippery Rock. The Panthers posted a 96-60 win in the last meeting Nov. 1, 2013. Pitt has won 34 consecutive exhibition contests dating back to a 92-90 loss to Marathon Oil Nov. 4, 2000.

The Panthers 18-game regular season home schedule at the Petersen Events Center features nine games against postseason teams from a year ago, including seven contests against NCAA Tournament qualifiers. Pitt will also host four teams – No. 1 Duke, No. 11 West Virginia, No. 13 Miami and No. 16 Louisville – listed in the ESPN Preseason Top 25. The full schedule for the 2017-18 season with dates, times and TV designations is available HERE. The annual City Game with Duquesne at PPG Paints Arena is also a part of Pitt's season ticket package.

Season tickets, mini packages and single-game tickets for the 2017-18 season are on sale now. Great lower level locations are available and can be reserved by calling the Panthers Ticket Office at 800-643-7488 or by clicking HERE.

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of 2 million volunteers saving lives in every community. As the largest voluntary health organization, the Society's efforts have contributed to a 25 percent decline in the cancer death rate in the U.S. since 1991, driven by less smoking, better treatments, and earlier detection. We're finding cures as the nation's largest private, not-for-profit investor in cancer research, ensuring people facing cancer have the help they need and continuing the fight for access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings and more. For more information, to get help, or to join the fight, call us anytime, day or night, at (800) 227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

COACHES VS. CANCER
The Coaches vs. Cancer program is a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) that empowers basketball coaches, their teams, and local communities to make a difference in the fight against cancer. The program leverages the personal experiences, community leadership, and professional excellence of basketball coaches nationwide to increase cancer awareness and promote healthy living through year-round awareness efforts, fundraising activities, and advocacy programs. Through integrated fundraising activities and public awareness campaigns, participating coaches are truly making a difference in the fight against cancer and are raising awareness in their communities about the importance of cancer prevention, early detection, and making healthy lifestyle choices.

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Pitt to Host Slippery Rock in Shoot Down Cancer Exhibition Game Presented by UPMC Hillman Cancer Center

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Players Mentioned

Ryan Luther

Jonathan Milligan