Panthers Open Exhibition Season With Win Over Premier All-Stars
11/4/2001 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Panthers Open Exhibition Season With Win Over Premier All-Stars
11/4/2001
PITTSBURGH - Ricardo Greer's 22 points and 18 rebounds helped propel the University of Pittsburgh men's basketball team to a 79-74 win over the Premier All-Stars Wednesday night at Fitzgerald Field House. The contest marked team's first exhibition game of the season.
The Panthers dominated the boards throughout the game, and held off a furious second-half charge by the All-Stars in gaining the victory. Pittsburgh pulled down 15 more rebounds than their visitor (51-to-36) and made 90 percent (27-of-30) of its free throws, as compared to 64.3 percent (18-of-28) by Premier at the charity stripe.
Greer (New York, N.Y./George Washington/Cheshire [Mass.] Prep) ended the evening 8-of- 19 from the field and 6-of-6 from the free throw line. The 6-5 guard also registered four assists and four steals.
Freshman Brandin Knight and freshman Donatas Zavackas, starting at point guard and power forward, respectively, each had an impressive first game. Knight (East Orange, N.J./Seton Hall Prep) was 10-of-12 from the free throw line and added eight rebounds. Zavackas (Klaipeda, Lithuania/St. Vincent-St. Mary [Akron, Ohio]) scored 12 points, including making six of six free throws, and had seven rebounds.
Senior guards Jarrett Lockhart and Jeremy Holmes each had solid performances as well. Lockhart (Bronx, N.Y./Mt. St. Michael's) scored 13 points and pulled down six rebounds while Holmes (Cleveland Heights, Ohio/Cleveland Heights/Neosho [Kan.] JC) was credited with five assists and a steal while committing only one turnover in 30 minutes.
"I thought our guys played real hard tonight," said Pittsburgh first-year head coach Ben Howland. "I think this win builds confidence going into our season."
The Premier All-Stars were paced by Kelly McClure, who played collegiately at Otterbein from 1992-96, with 16 points.
The Panthers will play their second and final exhibition game on Thursday, Nov. 11 versus the California All-Stars and open its regular season on Friday, Nov. 19 versus Wright State. Tipoff for both contests is set for 7:30 p.m. at Fitzgerald Field House.
