Panthers Hold Off California East All-Stars
11/12/1999 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Panthers Hold Off California East All-Stars
11/12/1999
PITTSBURGH - The University of Pittsburgh ended it exhibition season with a 2-0 record after defeating the California East All-Stars, 82-76, Thursday night at Fitzgerald Field House.
The game was similar to the Panthers' win over the Premier All-Stars the previous week. For the second consecutive game Pittsburgh out-rebounded its opponent, was very proficient at the free throw line, held off a late rally and was the beneficiary of several outstanding individual efforts.
The Panthers have been tenacious on the boards in the preseason. After grabbing 15 more rebounds than Premier, they out-rebounded California East, 43-37. Pittsburgh has been especially effective limiting its opponents to only one shot, allowing only 19 offensive rebounds in two contests.
Additionally, the Panthers have been able to get to the foul line in both wins. Against California East, Pittsburgh was 16-of-22 overall and 8-of-9 in the second half. The trio of Ricardo Greer, Brandin Knight and Donatas Zavackas combined to make 14 in the game, while missing only two.
California East made a late charge and even led by four with 3:39 remaining in the contest. The Panthers went on a 9-0 run, capped by Derrick Worrell rebound and dunk, to take a 76-61 advantage. Greer, Jeremy Holmes and Knight, respectively, drained six consecutive free throws over the final 40 seconds to preserve the win.
Greer, who has been the Panthers' main threat offensively in the preseason, registered his second double-double to lead Pittsburgh to the victory over California East, scoring a game-high 22 points and pulling down 11 rebounds. In the two exhibition games, the junior averaged 22 points, 14.5 rebounds3.5 assists and two steals. Greer has been especially effective at the free throw line, making 12 of his 14 attempts.
Other key contributors in the California East win include Knight (10 points, six assists and four steals), Holmes (10 points, four assists and only one turnover) and Chris Seabrooks (12 points and seven rebounds in 24 minutes).
