PITTSBURGH — Freshman Chase Foster scored 23 points, transfer Jonathan Powell added 18 points on six 3-pointers and Pittsburgh began its season with a 95-57 victory over Rider on Monday night.

Foster set a program record for the most points scored in a freshman debut. He was 5 of 8 from the field in the first half, with two 3-pointers, to reach 18 points as Pitt led 50-26. He only attempted four shots in the second half but grabbed five rebounds in 13 minutes.

Eight of Pitt's 16 field goals in the first half came from behind the arc, including three from Powell. The Panthers were 6 of 9 from distance in the second half.

Baye Ndongo, who played three seasons at Georgia Tech, and fifth-year transfer A’lahn Sumler each added 12 points for Pitt. Jalil Bethea, who played the 2024-25 season at Miami before transferring to Alabama last year, scored 10 off the bench. Pitt has 13 new players, with six of those having previous experience in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Bryce Baker led Rider with 11 points. The Broncs brought in 14 new players following last year’s 4-25 season.

Pitt has won 154 consecutive home games when scoring 80-plus points since a 90-83 double-overtime loss to St. John’s on Jan. 22, 1998.

Pittsburgh hosts Buffalo on Thursday.