Field Level Media
Nov 25, 2019
Eric Hamilton had 13 points and 12 rebounds, Ryan Murphy added 13 points and Xavier Johnson scored four in the final seconds as Pittsburgh defeated Kansas State 63-59 in the semifinals of the Fort Myers Tip-Off on Monday in Florida.
The Panthers (5-2) will play Northwestern in the championship game on Wednesday. The Wildcats (4-1) will oppose Bradley in the consolation game.
Johnson and Justin Champagnie added 12 each for Pittsburgh, which has won three in a row. Pittsburgh won despite committing 21 turnovers and going 1 for 16 on 3-pointers.
Kansas State retained possession with a 58-57 lead and 35.4 seconds remaining. Xavier Sneed missed a jumper, Levi Stockard III grabbed the offensive rebound and was fouled with 23.4 seconds left. Stockard, an 83 percent free throw shooter, missed the front end of a one-and-one.
Johnson converted a driving layup for a 59-58 Pittsburgh advantage. On Kansas State's next possession, Cartier Diarra was whistled for an offensive foul. Johnson then hit two free throws for a three-point advantage with 4.6 seconds remaining.
Diarra led Kansas State with 13 points while DaJuan Gordon added 12.
Kansas State jumped out to a 9-0 lead before Pittsburgh settled down and closed within 14-8 with 10:51 remaining in the first half.
Gordon later knocked down a 3-pointer from the corner as the Wildcats extended their advantage to 20-10.
Murphy connected on a trey from the wing for the Panthers, who trailed 22-15 with 6:16 left.
The Wildcats held a 30-28 halftime advantage, their first all season.
Murphy hit a tough 15-foot jumper to put the Panthers ahead 38-35 with 14:33 left.
The Wildcats responded with a pair of 3-pointers to lead 41-38.
Terrell Brown eventually corralled a tough offensive rebound and threw down a two-handed dunk for Pittsburgh as it led 42-41.
Shaun Williams, who was suspended for the first three games this season, knocked down a 3-pointer for Kansas State, which went back ahead 51-49 with 5:40 eft.
Pittsburgh responded with an 8-0 run for a 57-51 advantage.
Kansas State didn't wilt and came back with seven straight points for a 58-57 lead with 2:45 left.
--Field Level Media