PITTSBURGH — Nathaniel McCoy couldn't sit still.

He jostled around on his uncomfortable seat on the Slippery Rock University bench as The Rock basketball team took on the University of Pittsburgh in an exhibition game at the Petersen Events Center Saturday night.

It had been more than a year since the former Butler County Community College star had played in a game, and the night wasn't getting any younger.

"Just sitting on the bench in the first half was eating at me," McCoy said with a slight Southern drawl, giving away his Belfry, Ky., roots. "Imagine a whole year of it. I've been playing since I could walk. It's what I do. I gotta be out there."

McCoy, a 6-foot-3 guard, couldn't be out there last season while he squared away NCAA eligibility requirements. The Rock redshirted him and he spent the season acclimating to life at a four-year college.

He's listed as a senior, but has two years of eligibility.

When he played at BC3, he was phenomenal, averaging 31.4 points per game for the Pioneers.

He showed flashes of that talent against Pitt Saturday night, hitting a 3-pointer and throwing his arm up in excitement in an outburst of emotion. He ended up with seven points in seven minutes on the floor.

"Nathaniel had a better second half than he had a first half," said Slippery Rock coach John Marhefka, who quickly pulled McCoy off the court in the first half after only a few minutes.

McCoy wasn't surprised by his play in the second half. He showed he could play with Division-I competition.

"As far as I'm concerned, every guy is the same," McCoy said. "Just because they are D-I, it doesn't mean the shot isn't going to be there."

McCoy was 3-for-7 from the floor. He had a nifty take to the basket, dribbling around Pitt's Doyle Hudson and laying the ball into the hoop with a finger roll.

McCoy admits he has a lot of work to do.

He is out of shape because of an abdominal strain that has slowed him throughout camp. He thinks it might be a hernia, but is reluctant to find out for sure.

"I have no idea, to tell you the truth. I don't want to go and get it checked out," he said. "They may pull me or something."

McCoy admits to not taking care of himself during his one-year layoff, which might had led to his injury.

"It's a big step going from a junior college to a four-year school," he said. "You have to take care of yourself and be healthy."

Marhefka seems willing to let McCoy work through his injury problems.

He also is hoping McCoy will work through his defensive deficiencies as he works toward becoming a more rounded player.

"Defensively, he's going to have to work," Marhefka said. "That's what's going to get him on the floor."

Just being on the floor at this point is enough for McCoy, whose year away from the court was a long and torturous one.

"It's a beautiful thing just to play basketball again," McCoy said. "That's what it is all about."