Jamie Dixon’s Pitt Panthers got the post Lamar Patterson era off to a good note as four Panthers players scored in double figures, led by a career-high 14 from Jamel Artis, as Pitt opened the 2014-15 season with a 78-45 victory over Niagara on Friday night at the Petersen Events Center.
Josh Newkirk added 12 points for the Panthers, freshman Cameron Johnson added 11 and Chris Jones had 10 for Pitt, who has now won 18 consecutive openers.
“We got off to a great start and that was good,” said Dixon. “Our defense is coming along, we have a long way to go but we’re getting better. They’re young, but I thought our defense early was key and obviously our numbers indicate that. We really emphasized guarding the ball screen which is something we wanted to do because we weren’t very good at it early on in the exhibitions, so we improved in that area as well as taking charges and getting on the floor, we saw a lot of that early on in the game.”
The Pitt defense certainly did its job as they held Niagara to 25 percent (12-for-48) shooting for the contest. The 25 percent shooting marked the fourth lowest field goal percentage for a Pitt opponent in school history. Niagara’s 12 field goals tied for the sixth fewest field goals made by a Pitt opponent in school history and the zero 3-pointers made by the Purple Eagles also tied an opponent school record for fewest 3-pointers made in a game.
By the time Cameron Fowler made a runner for Niagara’s first basket, the Purple Eagles trailed 15-3 and Pitt found themselves leading 32-4 before Niagara finally got anything going. Pitt cruised to a 46-22 halftime lead and got a lot of young guys some valuable minutes.
Emile Blackman led Niagara with 16 points.
Prior to the game, Dixon announced that junior forward Durand Johnson was suspended for the season.
Johnson, who was expect to play a big role on this team as a scorer, will remain with the team and can practice, but won’t be allowed to play all season.
“Durand will remain with our program and practice. However, he will not compete in any games this season,” said Dixon.
Junior Joseph Uchebo (center), sophomores Jamel Artis (forward) and Chris Jones (guard) all made their first career starts for the Panthers. They were joined in the starting lineup by sophomore forward Michael Young junior guard James Robinson.
Pitt will be back in action on Sunday when they play host to Samford.
Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
