So Pitt didn't want to play in the National Invitation Tournament?

That was the thought heading into last night's game with Penn State. But the Panthers proved that theory false. They also showed the heart that no one thought they had in their 67-65 triumph over the Lions in front of 6,970 fans at Rec Hall.

"I think we feel really good about the win," Pitt Coach Paul Evans said. "The kids really gave a good effort coming back from down 11 points."

The first-round NIT loss abruptly ended Penn State's season at 21-8 and also ended the college careers of Freddie Barnes, Monroe Brown and Dave Degitz. The Panthers went to 17-15 and will play in the second round of the tournament on Monday or Tuesday.

The Panthers rode the shoulders of forward Chris McNeal to victory. With 11 seconds left, McNeal took a pass from Sean Miller, hit a layup and converted a three-point play after he was fouled by Matt Gaudio.

"The play was basically designed for Darren (Morningstar)," McNeal said. "I just went up with two hands and put it off the glass, and put it in."

The Lions went on their final rush with Brown attempting two jump shots. After his second miss Gaudio had one last chance for a tip in but it was not to be.

McNeal's shot capped a dominating performance by the junior in the final 12 minutes. After being held in check for most the game, McNeal went on a tear. He scored 14 of the final 16 points for the Panthers and ended up with a game-high 22.

"He's a super basketball player," Penn State Coach Bruce Parkhill said. "Everybody has a tough time with him."

The Lions showed the jekyll-and-hyde image that they have showed all season when they get a comfortable lead. Penn State went on a 11-4 run near the start of the second half and built a 49-38 lead.

But then the Lions took a hiatus and let their state rival back in the game. The Panthers charged back with their front line that concerned Parkhill and company all week. Their 13-2 run helped tie the game at 51-51 and that's when McNeal took over.

Penn State's hot shooting, though, controlled the first half and gave it a 38-32 lead at halftime. The Lions shot a blistering 61.5 percent including 3-of-6 from 3-point range.

The team decided to bring the game to the outside. Its first three buckets came from beyond the 3-point line.

The hottest man was DeRon Hayes, who said he was dedicating the season to the three seniors. Hayes hit three consecutive jumpers to give Penn State a 30-23 lead with 6:44 left in the half.

"He was just hot," said Brown about Hayes. "He was on one of those nights where he was just on. He kept us in the game."

The shooting turned cold, though, in the second half. Penn State shot 34.5 percent in the final 20 minutes.

"The two things that were my most serious concerns came back to haunt us," Parkhill said. "The disparity in size and our perimeter shooting."

Notes: Barnes, with his 19 points, became the team's third all-time leading scorer, surpassing Ed Fogell with 1,342 points . . . The loss snapped the Lions' 14-game home winning streak . . . The loss was also the first time the Lions haven't won their first postseason game in the Barnes, Brown and Degitz era.