University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Post-Game Notes
11/8/2013 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 8, 2013
Recap | Box Score | Quotes | Photo Gallery 
POST-GAME NOTES
Savannah State at Pitt, Petersen Events Center, November 8, 2013
Pitt 88, Savannah State 55
*Pitt began its 107th season of men's basketball and inaugural campaign as members of the Atlantic Coast Conference with an 88-55 victory over Savannah State of the MEAC.
*Pitt recorded its 17th consecutive season-opening win, dating back to the 1997 season. Pitt improves to 74-33 all-time in 107 season openers since 1905-06. The Panthers have now won 23 of their last 24 season openers. Jamie Dixon improved to a perfect 11-0 on opening day.
*The Pitt defense stifled Savannah State's offense, limiting the Tigers to 13 points in the first half. The 13 points tied for the third-fewest points scored in a half by a Pitt opponent since 1954-55. The record is 7 vs. New Hampshire, Dec. 4, 2009; 11, Penn State, Dec. 6, 2003 and 13 by New Hampshire, Dec. 27, 2003.
*Pitt began its 12th season in the Petersen Events Center and improved to 181-22 all-time in the arena. The Panthers have now won 87 of their last 99 home games.
*Pitt improved to 102-3 all-time against non-conference opponents in the Petersen Events Center. The Panthers have won 123 of their last 126 home games against regular season non-conference home opponents.
*Pitt also improved to 46-1 in November games at the Petersen Events Center.
*Following his transfer from Rutgers in the offseason, junior forward Derrick Randall earned his first start as a Panther in place of Talib Zanna, who served a one-game suspension for a violation of team rules. Randall made Pitt's first field goal of the season, repeating Pitt football team quarterback Tom Savage's feat of scoring for and against Pitt in his collegiate career. Randall enjoyed a stellar Pitt debut, tallying career collegiate game-highs in points (12) and rebounds (12) for his first career double-double in 20 minutes on the court. He also gathered nine offensive rebounds.
*Meanwhile, the Pitt offense was fueled by an extremely balanced attack. Six different Panthers reached double figures in scoring including James Robinson (13), Derrick Randall (12), Durand Johnson (12), Lamar Patterson (11), Josh Newkirk (11) and Cameron Wright (10). Michael Young finished with nine points. The six double figure scored ranked tied for the third most Pitt players in double figures in school history. The record is seven, two times.
*The Panthers dominated the glass. Pitt outrebounded Savannah State by a +19 margin (47-28).
*Besides Randall, several other newcomers also enjoyed successful Pitt debuts. Freshman guard Josh Newkirk scored 11 points thanks to a perfect night from beyond the arc (3-3). Freshman forward Michael Young came up just short of a double-double, finishing with nine points and eight rebounds. Freshman forward Jamel Artis contributed four points and five rebounds. Even freshman walk-on and Hawai'i native Joshua Ko scored four points in the final minutes.
*Senior Lamar Patterson showed off his versatility, nearly recording a triple-double. Patterson finished with 11 points, seven rebounds and tied a career-high with seven assists in only 21 minutes of action.
*Pitt improved to 25-0 all-time vs. Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opponents.
