For the first time ever, the Pitt Panthers have lost a home opener at the Petersen Events Center. The Saint Francis Red Flash grabbed control of last night’s season opener early and went on to beat the Panthers, 80-70.
Pitt had not lost to a Northeast Conference school since 1995 and had never lost to the Red Flash in 29 previous games.
Ramir Dixon-Conover scored a game-high 21 points to lead Saint Francis, which had five players in double figures. Pitt scored the first two points, but the Red Flash scored the next 10. The Red Flash led by 13 at the half and Pitt never got closer than eight points after that. Au’Diese Toney led the Panthers with 20.
A disappointed Pitt coach Jeff Capel was puzzled by how flat the Panthers were at the start of the game.
The Panthers play host to Drexel on Saturday afternoon. Because the Pitt football team’s game against Clemson is also scheduled for Saturday afternoon, the basketball game will not air on WCCS.
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