Pitt’s scholarship basketball players hit 11 3-point shots Tuesday night during the 77-58 victory against Boston College at Petersen Events Center.

But these days, the long-range action at the Pete flows into the halftime festivities, and even gets considered to be on ESPN’s “SportsCenter.”

Richard Ferris, a member of the Oakland Zoo, was chosen to participate in what has become a season-long promotion. A student is pulled from the stands and walked onto center court to try the seemingly impossible.

TWO SHOTS, ONE SPOT. RICHIE DID THAT!#H2P | #SCTOP10 pic.twitter.com/xq5shTszSp

— Pitt Panthers (@Pitt_ATHLETICS) February 15, 2023

The idea is to hit a 3-point shot and another from the other end — 3/4-court this time. If the student is good on both, that student wins free rent for a year.

Ferris’ first attempt was a straight-on shot from the 3-point arc, a clean bank. Then, he turned toward the other end of the floor and reached behind his head to attempt a left-handed, baseball-type shot.

Swish!

Many in the crowd of 6,746 people at the Pete were more excited — and louder — than they were during the 40 minutes of real basketball.

And, of course, Ferris gets his free rent which would be any college student’s dream.

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