PITTSBURGH — Slippery Rock University trailed Pitt by only four points with 3:45 to play Saturday, but dropped a 71-59 decision to the Panthers in their exhibition men’s basketball opener at the Petersen Events Center.

The game was part of the Shoot Down Cancer program, presented by the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.

Micah Till paced SRU with 15 points, seven rebounds and a steal in 19 minutes. Merdic Green added 13 points, seven rebounds and three assists.

The Rock led by as many as nine points in the first half.

Jared Wilson-Frame led Pitt with 24 points.

SRU officially starts its season this weekend at the MEC-PSAC Challenge in Glenville, W.Va., against host Glenville State and West Virginia Wesleyan.

Football

Sophomore quarterback Randall Labrie threw for career-highs of 301 yards and four touchdowns Saturday, but Grove City dropped a 43-34 decision to Bethany on Senior Day at Thorn Field.

Cody Gustafson caught a career-high 15 passes for 151 yards and two TDs while Matt Pennypacker had eight catches for 115 yards and two scores. Running back Wesley Schools had his sixth consecutive 100-yard rushing game, rambling for 133 yards on 31 carries.

The Wolverines (3-6, 3-4) end their season at Thiel in the annual Mercer County Cup game at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Volleyball

Slippery Rock (11-16, 3-12) dropped a 3-1 decision Saturday at Kutztown. Scores were 22-25, 25-21, 15-25, 24-26.

Lamija Alisic had 12 kills for The Rock while Erinn Kahoe had nine kills and four blocks, Brooke Bostwick four blocks.

SRU hosts Edinboro at 7 p.m. Tuesday.