PITTSBURGH, Jan. 4 (UPI) -- Chevon Troutman scored 19 of his 24 points in the first half Saturday in giving second-ranked Pittsburgh a quick start and the Panthers coasted to an 85-49 blasting of overmatched Robert Morris.
Playing their final non-conference game before embarking on a challenging Big East schedule that starts at home on Monday against No. 6 Notre Dame, the Panthers were never threatened while taking a 39-13 lead at halftime.
Troutman led the way in the opening 20 minutes, making nine of 10 shots from the field as the Panthers (10-1) easily bounced back from their first loss of the season, a 79-67 defeat at Georgia on Tuesday.
DaMarcus Ellis and Maurice Carter each scored 11 points for Robert Morris (3-6), which was playing its first game against a ranked opponent since suffering a 118-54 loss at Arizona on Dec. 28, 1996.
