PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Senior Earl Pettis led all scorers with 22 points and La Salle trailed #17/16 Pitt by just two points with 1:23 to play but couldn’t overcome the Panthers late and fell 73-69 on Tuesday at the Pedersen Events Center. The contest was the second of four in the Philly Hoop Group Classic.
The Explorers were looking to be just the third non-conference team ever to beat the Panthers at the Pedersen Events Center. Pitt improved to 87-2 all-time at the arena against non-conference foes.
Sophomore Sam Mills had 12 points and defensively, held preseason Big East Player of the Year Ashton Gibbs to 3-for-15 shooting. Senior Devon White added 12 points as well, while sophomore Tyreek Duren scored nine points and dished five assists.
La Salle took its first lead of the game at 53-52 on a freshman Steve Zack foul shot with 7:45 to play. But the hosts went on a 13-2 run over the next five minutes to lead by nine.
The Pitt lead was seven with 1:43 to play before the Explorers began to make things interesting. Duren completed a traditional three-point play with 1:32 left to cut it to 68-64 and Pettis stole the ball and his layup made the deficit just two with 1:23 to play.
The Panthers (3-1) scored a quick four points to regain a six-point advantage but a three by Pettis with 44 seconds on the clock made it 72-69. A Duren steal with nine seconds left set La Salle up for the tie but the Explorers were unable to capitalize and fell to 2-2 on the season.
Chester, Pa. native Nasir Robinson led Pitt with 17 points on 8-for-10 shooting. Tray Woodall had 12 points and 10 assists, while Gibbs scored 14, including seven from the foul line.
Defensively, La Salle forced 21 turnovers and committed 12.
The Explorers will play Robert Morris on Friday at 4:30 PM at the Palestra. The game will be broadcast on The Comcast Network.
Tickets are still available by contacting the Penn ticket office or visiting pennathletics.com.
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