Pitt Survives Against North Alabama, 71-66

Once again the Pittsburgh Panthers (5-0) got off to a slow start, but unlike their win over the Central Arkansas Bears on Thursday, their sluggish play persisted throughout the first half. On the slow start:

Freshman guard Xavier Johnson admitted, “As a team we honestly did look fatigued.” While junior guard Malik Ellison added, “It might have been the early start.”

The North Alabama Lions (2-2) didn’t particularly shoot the ball well, just 38.7% in the first half, but they were able to hit some timely shots during a near 5 minute stretch where the Panthers didn’t convert a field goal. It wasn’t like Pitt didn’t have some really good opportunities; they missed a bevy of layups and shots…