Pitt
(5-0)
North Alabama
(2-2)
Johnson’s 23-Point Outburst Leads to 71-66 Win Over North Alabama
11/17/2018 2:22:00 PM | Men's Basketball
PITTSBURGH – Freshman Xavier Johnson scored a career-high 23 points to lead the University of Pittsburgh men's basketball team to a 71-66 victory over North Alabama Saturday afternoon at the Petersen Events Center.
Pitt [5-0] had to battle with the Lions [1-3] to earn the win, holding off North Alabama late for the five-point victory.
Johnson led Pitt offensively with 23 points, which is tied for 11th in program history for single-game scoring by a freshman. Redshirt Junior Malik Ellison followed behind with a season-high 15 points, while freshman Au'Diese Toney added 12 points and a team-high eight rebounds in the matchup.
For the Lions, Kendarius Smith led the squad with 19 points on 7-of-14 shooting from the field and a 5-of-9 mark from deep. Jamari Blackmon added 13 points and seven assists, while Emanuel Littles pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds.
Neither team shot particularly well in the contest, with Pitt finishing 19-of-49 (38.8 percent) from the field and North Alabama closing the game with a 24-of-60 (40.0 percent) mark overall. The key difference in the game came at the line, where Pitt held a 31-8 advantage in free throw makes.
BIG PICTURE
Pitt: The Panthers were able to come out with a win in a game where they didn't play at their best. The team got off to a slow start offensively in its first noon contest of the season, but picked it up in the second half, shooting 12-of-26 (46.2 percent) from the field.
North Alabama: Playing their first season of Division I basketball, the Lions don't appear satisfied to be bottom feeders. They hung with the Panthers after playing Atlantic 10 favorites Saint Louis tight earlier in the week.
UP NEXT
Pitt: Will leave home for the first time this season when they face Saint Louis in New York on Wednesday.
North Alabama: Hosts NAIA Martin Methodist on Tuesday.
