PITTSBURGH — Jamel Artis scored 27 points and head coach Kevin Stallings survived a season-opening scare in his Pittsburgh debut, beating Eastern Michigan 93-90 in double overtime Friday night.

The Panthers led all of regulation but were unable to put away the Eagles. Sheldon Jeter’s jumper and some clutch free-throw shooting in double overtime sealed the win for Pitt.

The 6-foot-7 Artis made 11 of 12 free throws and started a new role under Stallings as a point guard. While the move was an offensive success, it remains a work in progress defensively.

“We played very hard, but sometimes we were over-aggressive and we tended to let guys drive,” Artis said. “We have to know to send guys to the help side.”

Michael Young put up 26 points and 10 rebounds, including a crucial offensive rebound late. Jeter finished with 12 points.

Eastern Michigan did most of its damage inside. Tim Bond had 21 points as the Eagles outscored Pitt in the paint 48-20. James Thompson IV had eight points and 13 rebounds, seven on the offensive glass. Bond and Thompson fouled out early in overtime, as Eastern Michigan committed 30 fouls and let Pitt get to the line 45 times.

The Eagles knew that opening the season on the road in a tough venue would be a challenge, but head coach Rob Murphy was impressed with the way his team battled back from a deficit to tie the game late.

“Our guys showed us that anybody we play, we’ll have an opportunity,” he said. “Whether we’re going to close the door or not, that’s something that we have to learn to do.”