Pitt
6-0
Saint Louis
4-1
Pitt Earns Tough 75-73 Win over Saint Louis in Brooklyn
11/21/2018 3:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
NEW YORK (AP) Freshman guard Xavier Johnson hit the go-ahead layup with 1:19 left as Pitt beat St. Louis 75-73 in The Barclays Center Classic on Wednesday afternoon.
It was a back-and-forth game with 12 lead changes before Pitt (6-0) took the lead for good on Johnson's layup.
Previously unbeaten St. Louis (4-1) was led by Hasahn French, who had 13 points and 10 rebounds, and Jordan Goodwin, who scored 16.
With the Panthers leading by two and time running out, Pitt fouled French, who is 12.5 percent from the free-throw line this season. The strategy paid off as the St. Louis forward airballed the front end of a one-and-one, giving Pitt the ball.
Johnson then sealed the victory, hitting a pair of free throws to keep the Panthers undefeated. Pitt's dynamic freshman guard finished with 20 points.
Malik Ellison and Sidy N'Dir both added 13 points for the Panthers.
BIG PICTURE
St. Louis: Picked to win the Atlantic 10 Conference in the A-10 coaches and media voting, the Billikens look the part thus far, following up their victory at Big East foe Seton Hall with a down-to-the-wire game against an ACC opponent.
Pitt: The Panthers remain undefeated after their toughest challenge to date. First-year coach Jeff Capel appears to have the Panthers heading in the right direction.
UP NEXT
St. Louis: Host Central Arkansas on Saturday.
Pitt: At Iowa on Tuesday for the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
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