PITTSBURGH — Basketball season is finally here.
On Wednesday night, Pitt took down Pitt-Johnstown (D2) in an exhibition contest at the Petersen Events Center by a score of 96-60.
The Panthers got off to a hot start behind the team’s new guards Ishmael Leggett and Carlton Carrington, who contributed with 14 of the team’s first 34 points as it cruised to a substantial first-half lead. Later on in the half, Blake Hinson caught fire, hitting two buckets and all four of his free-throw tries to head into the break with nine points. Leggett joined him with nine points in the frame, while Carrington finished with eight.
The Baltimore native Carrington started off 3-3 from the field, hitting two pull-up threes and a mid-range jumper in his first game — and start — as a Panther. He and fellow freshman guard Jaland Lowe split the point guard duties in the first half, taking the ball up and running the Panthers’ offense. At the break, Pitt led over UPJ by a score of 48-29 while shooting 55% from the field.
In addition to Carrington, Hinson, and Leggett, transfer wing Zack Austin earned a starting spot as well as returning big man Federiko Federiko. Austin and Federiko combined for six points in the first frame.
In the second half, the Panthers’ hot shooting cooled down, as they hit just 38% of their field goals and 26% of their three-point attempts. Carrington continued his strong play, as did Leggett, and Pitt cruised to a dominant victory.
Carrington finished as the team’s leading scorer with 13 points on 4-for-8 shooting (3-4 on threes), while Hinson added 13 points as well and Leggett contributed with 12. Carrington also led the team in rebounding and assisting, adding seven rebounds and six assists in the win. Austin and Lowe each had eight points in the win.
Jorge Diaz-Graham scored ten points and grabbed three rebounds, and his twin brother Guillermo scored eight and grabbed eight rebounds. Will Jeffress scored eight points and grabbed eight rebounds in his first game back from injury (foot).
Catawba (D2) transfer Mike Hueitt Jr. played his first game in a Pitt uniform, hitting three of his six three-point attempts for nine points in the win.
Pitt finished the win with a 46% shooting percentage, hitting 32 of its 70 attempts.
For Pitt-Johnstown, returning guard Andrew Shull led the way with 16 points, while Ryan Smith had 13 and Gavin Headings added ten. Pittsburgh native and the WPIAL’s all-time leading scorer Vinnie Cugini finished with 2 points. The Mountain Cats will compete in the PSAC this season.
Pitt opens its season on Monday, Nov. 6 with a non-conference matchup against North Carolina A&T. The Panthers went 24-12 last year with a second-round appearance in the NCAA Tournament. NC A&T finished last season 13-19 (8-10 CAA). That game will tip off at 7 p.m. on ESPN+.
Can’t wait to see the new players in action. And see if the returning are stepping up. A lot of turnover but the cupboard is full it seems H2P!!