PITTSBURGH — Pitt took care of business in its final non-conference game of the 2017-18 season, knocking off the Towson Tigers, 63-59 at Petersen Events Center on Friday.
The Panthers trailed for much of the game, had a horrible first half shooting and turned the ball over 21 times, but were somehow still in position to make a late run.
Pitt trailed by five points with 3:38 to play when Khameron Davis made a corner 3-pointer while being fouled. He converted the free throw to finish the four-point play and draw Pitt to a one-point deficit.
Towson guard Zane Martin answered with a jumper for two of his 20 points, giving the Tigers a three-point lead with just over two minutes to play. Then, freshman point guard Marcus Carr made a contested 3-pointer as the shot clock expired to tie the game.
With under a minute to play, Carr put the ball on the floor, drove to the hoop and dished to Jonathan Milligan for a floater to give Pitt the lead for good. Milligan and Davis each made free throws down the stretch to seal the win.
It wasn’t a good statistical night for many of Pitt’s shooters. Davis was 2 of 5, Milligan 2 of 4, Stewart 4 for 12, Jared Wilson-Frame 3 for 16. Carr was 2 for 3 but had six turnovers.
Inside, Terrell Brown had his best game, scoring 12 points and grabbing seven rebounds. Peace Ilegomah got the start at center as Pitt played four guards most of the night, but Brown took the playing time over with his energy and effort.
Pitt will have eight days between games. They next take to the floor at Petersen Events Center on Dec. 30, when they will begin ACC play against Miami. That game has a 4 p.m. tip.
