NCAA Basketball: Pittsburgh defeats Kansas State in ugly, low scoring battle
By Adam Childs
The Pittsburgh Panthers and Kansas State Wildcats faced off in the first round of the Fort Myers Tipoff on Monday night. In a low scoring battle, the Panthers picked up a big win.
In the second annual Rocket Mortgage Fort Myers Tipoff, the Pittsburgh Panthers and Kansas State Wildcats faced in the first game. In what turned out to be an ugly game the Panthers made the plays down the stretch to win 63-59.
In a game mired with more fouls than assists, the Panthers were able to give the Wildcats their first loss of the year. Pitt improved to 5-2 on the year while Kansas State dropped to 4-1.
Pitt won despite having just two assists on the game and 21 turnovers. Xavier Johnson hit a tough running layup with just under ten seconds left and then drew a charge as the Wildcats Carter Diarra drove in to try and tie the game.
Johnson would hit both free throws and Diarra was fouled with one second left before he had a chance to shoot a three. He would make the first and miss the second on purpose, but Pitt was able to get the rebound to seal the victory.
It was an ugly game in which both teams struggled to score and defense ruled the day. Kansas State would finish with 24 fouls and Pitt had 18 in a game that lacked rhythm.
The difference in the game was free throws as Pitt would go 18-21 from the line while Kansas State shot a putrid 3-13.
It was a tough win for the Panthers and coach Jeff Capel for a team trying to rebuild from going winless in the ACC two years ago.
Ryan Murphy and Eric Hamilton would lead Pitt in scoring with 13 while Johnson and freshman Justin Champagnie each scored 12 as the Panthers had a balanced attack.
Diarra led the way for the Wildcats with 13 points and DaJuan Gordon added 12. Kansas State did shoot 50% from deep hitting 10 of 20 from the outside, but the missed free throws did them in.
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Pitt advanced to the championship game to face either Bradley or Northwestern while Kansas State will play in the third-place game. Both games will be Wednesday night at Sun Coast arena in Fort Myers, Florida.