Pitt vs. Lehigh: Panthers' 78-53 win sends team to New York for game against Michigan

Pitt was tested early by Lehigh on Tuesday night with only a 35-30 halftime advantage. But after a 14-5 run, the Panthers broke things wide open and never looked back in a 78-53 victory.

Leading the way were Pitt's upperclassmen. Starters Tray Woodall and Talib Zanna combined for 43 points and Dante Taylor led the team in rebounding with ten off the bench. Highly touted Lehigh senior C.J. McCollum had a solid night, but his 17 points were well below his season average entering the game. Freshman James Robinson drew the assignment to guard him much of the game, and did a fairly good job. Robinson's offense took a bit of a hit, though, as he was only 1-8 from the field.

Pitt's bench also continued its strong play. The unit had 24 points, led by Durand Johnson's nine. The Panthers are playing ten guys right now and since all are contributing, that might stay the same for much of the season. Pitt could legitimately become one of the deepest teams in the country.

The win moves Pitt into the Final Four of the NIT Season Tip-off and next up for the Panthers is a date against No. 5 Michigan next week. If the Panthers can avoid a letdown against Oakland this weekend, a win over the Wolverines would surely move them into the Top 25.

Lehigh vs. Pitt basketball preview: Panthers host Mountain Hawks in 2nd round of NIT Tip-Off

Fresh off a lopsided victory, 86-51, over the Fordham Rams, the Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball team returns to action Tuesday when the Lehigh Mountain Hawks visit the Petersen Events Center (8:30 p.m.). The winner will advance to the NIT Season Tip-Off Tournament's semifinals that will be played at Madison Square Garden in New York.

On Monday, Pitt (2-0) advanced to the regional final using a 20-poiint effort from junior forward J.J. Moore while Lehigh routed Robert Morris, 89-60.

The Mountain Hawks (1-1) were paced by senior guard C.J. McCollum's 19 points. Teammate junior guard Mackey McKnight added 15 points for Lehigh, which never trailed after giving up the game's opening score.

Lehigh lost its season opener to the No. 16-ranked Baylor Bears, 99-77, on Nov. 9. In that contest, McCollum scored a game-high 36 points on 32 shots.

Pitt is looking to improve to 94-3 all-time against non-conference opponents at the Petersen Events Center.

Pitt vs. Fordham: Panthers win in rout over the Rams, 86-51

Pitt was barely tested by Fordham in their opening preseason NIT game, winning easily 86-51 at the Pete.

The Panthers were carried by another strong offensive performance, scoring at least 80 points in each of their first two games. They were led by J.J. Moore's 20 points off the bench. Moore was 7-11 from the field and hit three of his five three-point attempts. The junior is doing what he can to convince head coach Jamie Dixon to insert him in the starting lineup and through two games is averaging nearly 15 points.

Pitt also did a tremendous job defensively against Fordham. The Rams shot less than 37% from the field and star forward Chris Gaston (who had 19 points and 14 rebounds in his team's opening-season win) was held to a meager four points on only 1-4 shooting from the field.

The Panthers' starters were led by a combined 25 points from senior Tray Woodall and freshman Steven Adams. Adams also chipped in with five rebounds and Woodall added five assists. In addition, Adams was particularly efficient, connecting on all five of his shot attempts.

Next up for Pitt is the winner of tonight's Lehigh-Robert Morris game. Pitt will face that team on Tuesday night at the Pete on ESPNU.

Pitt vs. Fordham: Panthers face Rams on Monday night

Pitt takes on Fordham in its second game of the season.