Major college basketball
As one of two new Division I programs in 2018-19, not many had high expectations for North Alabama this year.
But these Lions can put up a fight. Facing a major-conference opponent for the first time in program history, North Alabama was up to the task, forcing a tight contest with Pittsburgh on Saturday afternoon.
The talent level of the Panthers won out in the end, with Pitt (5-0) pulling ahead late for a 71-66 victory. But the Lions (1-3) certainly made an impression.
“I’m really proud of our team for finding a way to win when we weren’t at our best, and we weren’t at our best because of North Alabama,” Pitt coach Jeff Capel said.
North Alabama led by four at the half and played a frustrating, scrappy defense that held the Panthers to a season-low 39 percent shooting.
“I thought they played really, really hard and they pressured us,” Capel said. “We had to work harder offensively to get into stuff. That’s the first time we’ve faced pressure like that, I thought that threw us off we weren’t as connected.”
Freshman point guard Xavier Johnson was the difference-maker for the Panthers. He led all scorers with a career-high 23 points, including several driving layups as the teams traded baskets down the stretch and a pair of free throws that iced the victory in the final seconds.
Kendarius Smith (19 points) and Jamari Blackmon (13 points) paced a more-balanced Lions attack. North Alabama had nine different players find the net and led in bench points, 22-9.
Pitt’s fortunes in the paint improved when forward Emanuel Littles fouled out with just over five minutes remaining. He had a game-high 10 rebounds.
The Panthers had their worst shooting game of the season and didn’t get their usual level of contribution from senior wing Jared Wilson-Frame. The team’s leading scorer, he came in averaging 21.3 points and five made 3-pointers per game, but was held to nine points and one for six from outside the arc.
The game was the third in five days and second in under 48 hours for the Panthers, and their inability to finish at the rim might have been influenced by some tired legs.
“This was the end of an energy cycle for us,” Capel said. “When you add those elements against a team that’s hungry, we were in the position that we were in.”
Duquesne 69, Radford 64: Eric Williams Jr. scored 11 of his 14 points in the second half and grabbed 10 rebounds for his 13th career double-double, Mike Lewis II added 15 points and Duquesne rallied to beat Big South Conference preseason favorite Radford 69-64 in a game played in Akron, Ohio.
Michael Hughes scored 10 for the Dukes (3-0).
Williams hit a 3, Frankie Hughes scored a go-ahead 3-pointer amid an 11-0 run and the Dukes led 60-62 on Hughes’ free throws with 4:14 to play. Radford closed to 63-60 on Donald Hicks’ three free throws with 1:13 left, but Duquesne hit six free throws from there and the Highlanders got no closer.
Radford led 36-34 at halftime after six lead changes behind Carlik Jones’ 11 points and after outscoring the Dukes 24-12 in the paint.
Ed Polite Jr. had 11 points and 15 rebounds and Jones and Mawdo Sallah scored 14 points apiece for Radford (3-1).