Pitt Topples Slippery Rock, 98-47, in Exhibition Play

Wednesday, October 30

Pittsburgh, Pa.

7 PM

Pitt

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Slippery Rock

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Slippery Rock

Pittsburgh

Pitt Topples Slippery Rock, 98-47, in Exhibition Play

10/30/2019 10:16:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Photo Gallery Quotes Pitt Press Conference Photo Gallery

PITTSBURGH – Pitt made its first five shots from the field to jump out to an early 13-4 lead and never looked back en route to a 98-47 win over Slippery Rock in exhibition play Wednesday night at the Petersen Events Center. Xavier Johnson scored a game-high 17 points to go along with four rebounds, three assists and four steals as Pitt recorded its 37^th consecutive win in exhibition play.

Pitt added runs of 13-4 and 12-2 in the opening 14 minutes of action to take 40-13 lead with 5:01 remaining in the first half. Ryan Murphy closed out the half with a step-back three from the left baseline to give the Panthers a 51-21 advantage at the break.

The sophomore backcourt tandem of Johnson and Trey McGowens continued to push the tempo in the second half of play as Pitt extended the lead to 80-31 on an alley-oop dunk by McGowens off a Johnson assist with just under 10 minutes remaining.

McGowens finished with 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the field and added a game-high eight assists. Gerald Drumgoole, Jr. (13), Murphy (11) and Terrell Brown (10) also scored in double figures in the win.

Will Robinson, Jr., led The Rock with 14 points, while Jared Armstrong added 12 points and three assists.

Dynamic Duo
The backcourt tandem of Johnson and McGowens combined for 32 points on 14-of-22 shooting from the field … the duo also added seven rebounds, 11 assists and five steals … Johnson and McGowens ranked among the leading returning scorers in the ACC.

Tale of Two Halves on the Glass
Slippery Rock posted 24-19 rebounding edge at the half, including an 11-3 margin on the offensive glass … Pitt turned the tides after intermission and ended the game with a 49-38 rebounding advantage, including a 17-14 edge on the offensive end of the floor … Abdoul Karim Coulibaly led the Panthers with eight rebounds.

Specialty Stats
Pitt dominated the specialty stats in the game as well posting a 50-24 advantage in points in the paint and a 38-9 margin in bench scoring … the Panthers also added 21 points off 24 Slippery Rock turnovers.

Pitt in Exhibition Play
The Panthers improve to 61-5 all-time in exhibition games, including a 31-0 mark at the Petersen Events Center.

Series History
Pitt is now 5-0 all-time against Slippery Rock in exhibition contests

Walk-on Moments
Anthony Starzynski came off the bench midway through the second half and immediately delivered with a three-point field goal from the top of the key … Onyebuchi Ezeakudo recorded five assists in just over 13 minutes of action.

Immediate Impacts
Pitt newcomers – Eric Hamilton, Murphy, Drumgoole, Justin Champagnie and Coulibaly – combined for 44 points and 22 rebounds in the contest.

Up Next
The Panthers open the 2019-20 season Wednesday, Nov. 6 at the Petersen Events Center against ACC foe Florida State (8 p.m. – ESPNU). Pitt topped the then-No. 11 Seminoles last season behind a 30-point night from McGowens.

Tickets Available for 2019-20
Season tickets, mini plans and single game tickets for the 2019-20 basketball season can be purchased online HERE or by calling the Panthers Ticket Office at 1-800-643-7488.