Oct. 21, 2007

Final Stats

PITTSBURGH--The Pitt Blue squad used 67 percent field goal shooting in the second half to register a 74-69 victory over the Gold team as part of the University of Pittsburgh's Fan Fest Scrimmage Sunday at the Petersen Events Center. The fourth annual Fan Fest Scrimmage was offered to fans as the first official glimpse of the 2007-08 Pitt men's and women's basketball teams. The event drew 3,046 total fans.

The Blue Squad was led by junior forward Sam Young who scored 19 points and grabbed six rebounds. Redshirt freshman Gilbert Brown had an all-around day as he finished with 15 points (6-9 shooting), hit all three of his 3-point attempts, grabbed seven rebounds and dished out five assists. Junior college transfer Cassin Diggs contributed 13 points (5-7 shooting) and six rebounds including five offensive boards. Freshman Brad Wanamaker registered a game-high tying eight assists to go along with 14 points.

Junior point guard Levance Fields led all scorers with 23 points for the Gold Team. Fields hit 5-11 3-point field goals and finished with eight assists.

Freshman DeJuan Blair made his much-anticipated Pitt debut as he scored 17 points on 8-16 shooting and hauled in a game-high 17 rebounds. The Shenley High School product also provided fans with a no-look pass on the game's first possession and a spectacular dunk.

Trailing by four points with 10:03 to go (45-41), the Blue Squad took command of the contest by outscoring the Gold Team 14-5 over a four-minute span. Young began the rally with a dunk and Brown followed with two consecutive 3-pointers. Young threw down another dunk, Wanamaker followed with a 3-pointer and Young hit a 3-pointer of his own for a 57-52 lead with 6:45 left in the game.

The Gold Team rallied back and closed its deficit to one point (61-60) with 3:53 left, but the Blue Squad held its lead with a tip-in by Diggs and a 3-point play from Wanamaker to seal the win.

The Blue Team converted 22 of 30 second half field goals for a 66.7 percent clip. It also registered assists on 22 of its 30 field goals.

The scrimmage was part of the 2007-08 Basketball Fan Fest event which took place Sunday at the Petersen Events Center. The event, which drew 3,046 total fans, featured both the Pitt men's and women's basketball teams, a combined autograph session for both squads, photo opportunities, inflatable games, and scrimmages featuring both the men's and women's basketball teams.

The Pitt men's basketball team plays its first exhibition game on Wednesday, Oct. 31^st against Pitt-Johnstown at 7:30 p.m. The Panthers then host Indiana (Pa.) for its second exhibition game on Sunday, Nov. 4 at 5 p.m. Indiana (Pa.) is coached by former Pitt assistant coach Joe Lombardi.

FAN FEST SCRIMMAGE

Score: Blue 74, Gold 69, Oct. 21, 2007, Petersen Events Center

BLUE SQUAD

Gilbert Brown, Cassin Diggs, Gary McGhee, Ronald Ramon, Maurice Polen, Brad Wanamaker, Sam Young.

Coaches: Orlando AntiguaP>

GOLD SQUAD

Keith Benjamin, Tyrell Biggs, DeJuan Blair, Mike Cook, Levance Fields, Tim Frye, Austin Wallace.

Coaches: Tom Herrion, Pat Sandle

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