There was little doubt that Pitt would win this game, but at the end, it was a total laugher.
↵The Panthers, behind 16 points from true freshman Khem Birch, crushed local college La Roche 101-33 in the team's first exhibition. Birch led the Panthers in scoring, but most of his points came late in the game. He finished with 16 points and five rebounds, but ten points an three rebounds came over the contest's final five minutes. Still, it was an impressive showing for what is believed to be the best recruit in recent years for the Panthers.
↵Ashton Gibbs chipped in with 15 points and J.J. Moore added 12. Also with a strong game was Travon Woodall, who is expected to start this season in the backcourt alongside Gibbs. Woodall had 11 points, seven assists, and made three of his four three-point attempts. In addition, Dante Taylor added a near double-double with nine points and nine rebounds.
↵Every Panther scored except for reserve Aron Nwankwo.
↵Pitt will play its second and final exhibition on Monday night against Kentucky Wesleyan before they officially open the season at home on November 11th against Albany.
↵For more post-game analysis, check out SB Nation Pitt blog Cardiac Hill.
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