University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt
St. Bonaventure
Pittsburgh Advances
3/14/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 14, 2001
By JOE MANDAK
Associated Press Writer
PITTSBURGH - Ricardo Greer scored 26 points as Pittsburgh beat St. Bonaventure 84-75 on Wednesday night in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament.
Pittsburgh (19-13) will play the winner of the Southern Mississippi-Mississippi State game Monday or Tuesday.
St. Bonaventure (18-12) led 48-39 after Pittsburgh played its worst defensive first half of the season. The Panthers gave up 40 points in the first half of regular-season road games against Notre Dame and West Virginia.
The Panthers struggled early and trailed by as much as 13 as they were unable to work the ball inside, and struggled from 3-point range, shooting just 3-of-14 for the first half.
The Bonnies were able to keep Pittsburgh at bay by double- and triple teaming Isaac Hawkins, who had just two points in the first half and six for the game.
J.R. Bremer was 6-of-10 from 3-point range in leading St. Bonaventure with 26 points.
Julius Page tied it at 61 with a 3-pointer with 7:25 left after Pittsburgh got back into the game early in the second half on the back of Isaac Hawkins.
Leading 68-67, Pittsburgh was able to take advantage of the Bonnies' foul trouble and slow the game down, waiting for a perfect shot. Page delivered with a 3-pointer and the Panthers made it 73-67 with 1:21 left on Jaron Brown's layup.
