La Salle upset bid of Pitt falls just short, 73-69

PITTSBURGH - La Salle stayed with 17th-ranked Pittsburgh for a lot longer than a heavy underdog should.

However, the Explorers' upset bid fell short Tuesday night as they lost to the Panthers 73-69 at the Petersen Events Center.

La Salle (2-2) was within one possession in the final minute, drawing to 72-69, on Earl Pettis' three-point field goal with 45 seconds left.

The Explorers then had a chance to tie the game but instead chose to try a two-point field goal. Sam Mills had a shot block as he drove the lane with nine seconds remaining.

Pitt's Dante Taylor then iced the win by making a free throw with six seconds left.

Pettis scored a game-high 22 points and added five steals for La Salle. Mills and Devon White, who fouled out with 1:46 remaining, added 12 points each.

Tyreek Duren, the Explorers' leading scorer, was held to nine points. He came into the game averaging 21.7.

Chester High School graduate Nasir Robinson led Pitt (3-1) with 17 points, All-American Ashton Gibbs added 14 points and Tray Woodall finished with 10 points and 10 assists.

La Salle trailed by just two, 28-26, and briefly led in the second half, moving ahead 53-52 on a free throw by Steve Zack with 7:45 remaining.

The Explorers' hopes of an upset, though, took a big hit when Pitt (3-1) answered with nine consecutive points to move in front for good at 61-53 with 4:21 remaining. Robinson started the run with a jumper and J.J. Moore followed with a three - pointer before Taylor had a basket and Ashton Gibbs and Robinson each made one free throw.

La Salle's Sam Mills stopped the run by hitting a three-pointer that drew the Explorers within five and the Explorers eventually got the deficit down to three with 45 seconds left.

Pitt seemed to be pulling away when Gibbs drained a three with 13:48 to put the Panthers ahead 48-38. La Salle then answered with a 15-4 spurt to briefly pull ahead.

La Salle started slowly and fell behind 6-0 but then regrouped after coach John Giannini called a timeout and tied the game at 6-6.

White led La Salle with 10 first-half points and Earl Pettis added eight points and four steals. La Salle shot just 37 percent (11 of 30) but forced Pitt into 12 turnovers.

The game was part of the Philly Hoops Group Classic, which will continue this weekend at the Palestra.

La Salle will play Robert Morris on Friday and Rider on Saturday with both games starting at 4:30 p.m. Pitt plays Penn on Friday at 7 p.m.