Pitt rolls past Penn in Philly
PHILADELPHIA — Khem Birch was losing his bout with nerves. He had a turnover, a missed layup — and suddenly some doubt — only 30 seconds into his first career start.
The 6-foot-9 Canadian with a blond streak in his hair just needed one big block to swat away the angst and make an impact for Pitt.
Birch had a breakthrough game with 15 points and 10 rebounds to help No. 17 Pittsburgh pull away late against pesky Penn for a 78-58 win in the Philly Hoop Group Classic on Friday night.
Ashton Gibbs scored 16 points to lead the Panthers (4-1) to the 20-point victory over inferior competition they badly needed after struggling the last three games. Pitt was upset at home by Long Beach State last week. Rider and La Salle gave the Panthers fits in two other games.
Pressed into service with starting center Dante Taylor out with migraines, Birch settled down and showed flashes of the game-changing plays he’s expected to contribute. His 15 points were seven more than his season total over the first four games.
“As the game went on, I got into a flow,” Birch said.
He found it midway through the first half.
Birch had a thunderous dunk, then a block on the next possession that led to a Pitt layup and 28-18 lead.
Birch is just the second McDonald’s All-American to sign with the Panthers. The Panthers lost three starters off a team that won the Big East regular-season title last winter, giving Birch the opportunity to quickly become part of the core that could eventually lead the Panthers to the Final Four.
“He’s got a good feel, so there’s things that you can grow with and build with,” coach Jamie Dixon said. “That’s something you can’t teach.”
The Panthers also played without starting small forward Lamar Patterson, who started a two-game suspension. Dixon said Patterson was suspended for disciplinary reasons.
Pitt also lost forward Talib Zanna in the second half with an apparent knee injury. He slipped and was down on the court before he hobbled to a seat on the bench. He rubbed his right knee for several minutes. Dixon said Zanna was fine.
Nasir Robinson, of nearby Chester, Pa., punctuated the win with a fastbreak dunk that brought the Pitt fans to their feet.
Robinson scored 14 points and J.J. Moore 12.
