No. 4 Pittsburgh survived a barrage of 3-pointers from visiting Rhode Island to post a 83-75 victory over the Rams in Monday's season opener in the 2K Sports Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer.

The Panthers' starting backcourt of Brad Wanamaker and Ashton Gibbs combined for 46 points. Pittsburgh needed all of it.

The Rams (0-1), picked in the middle of the pack in Atlantic 10, hit 14 3-pointers and led for the majority of the first half. Akeem Richmond's layup with 2:12 left before intermission put the Rams up seven.

But Pitt (1-0) closed the first half with a 10-2 run and took a 37-36 lead into the locker room.

Wanamaker and Gibbs took over in the second half, but didn't put away the Rams until under two minutes to play. Wanamaker finished with 24 points, and Gibbs added 22.

Delroy James led Rhode Island with 20 points. Richmond had 16, with 14 coming in the first half.

Pittsburgh improved to 76-1 in non-conference play at the Peterson Events Center.

The Panthers host Illinois-Chicago Wednesday. The Rams get eight days off before returning to action against Brown on Nov. 16.