For Jamie Dixon and the Pitt Panthers basketball team, the trip to Okinawa, Japan for the Armed Forces Classic against No. 9 Gonzaga was to be an early measuring stick on how the new look Panthers would measure up against good competition after a disappointing 2014-15 campaign.
Unfortunately, Pitt only got half the chance to find out.
After one half of play, the officials decided to cancel the rest of the game due to unsafe floor conditions.
At the time of the decision to stop the game, Pitt led the Zags 37-35.
The gym was extremely hot and the floor was very slippery as players from both teams continued to slip and fall for the entire first half. The worst situation came when Pitt point guard James Robinson slipped back peddling, smacking his face on the floor drawing blood.
While the game was being played, Michael Young led all Pitt players in scoring with 11 points. Robinson and Chris Jones each chipped in seven during a first half in which Pitt played very well against a quality opponent.
Pitt rolled out a starting lineup of Robinson, Young, Sterling Smith, Jamel Artis and Alonzo Nelson-Ododa.
Gonzaga’s Kyle Wiltjer led all scorers with 15 points.
Pitt will head home and now officially begin the season Tuesday against St. Joseph’s (IND).
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