Pitt Basketball: Mike Young Dominates As Panthers Win Exhibition Against IUP

If you heard Jamie Dixon’s opening remarks, it would have been interpreted that his Pitt Panthers team lost to IUP in its opening exhibition contest.

“They out-executed us today,” Dixon said. “I thought their guards would hurt us and they did with their quickness. Smaller, yes, but quick and athletic and can make some shots. That was good for us to see and know what we have to work on.

“We have to improve in a lot of areas. Our defense isn’t where it needs to be, but I told you that last week, and the week before that, and the week before that. We got the ball inside early, we didn’t make great decisions out of it, didn’t finish great, but as the game went on we started to do a better job of that.”

Ultimately perhaps that was the trick as the Panthers, and Mike Young in particular, were able to treat their way to a 72-58 victory.

Young had 24 points on the game shooting 8 for 12 from the field and making seven of eight free throws.

I knew coming into this year I was going to have to play (center and power forward) and working on being able to have a few go to moves and work the ball really well,” said Young. “I want the team to be able to count on me to get the job done when I get the ball and tonight was just the start of my hard work.”

IUP coach Joe Lombardi was quick to praise Young.

“Young is a man-child right now,” Lombardi said. “He is going to be the best low post player they have had for a number of years. He also, has the attitude to go with it.”

Dixon noted in his press conference that several of his players were injured and he rotated 11 players on and off the court throughout the first half. IUP lead to 6:30 of the opening 20 minutes before Pitt regained control. At halftime Pitt led 35-27 despite shooting 32.3 percent from the field.

For the game, Pitt out-rebounded IUP by 12 and had 19 more free throw shots than the Crimson Hawks.

Pitt will next play Philadelphia University at 7 p.m. Friday.