MILWAUKEE – Pitt leads Oakland at halftime 39-26. The Panthers ended the half on a 26-8… MILWAUKEE – Pitt leads Oakland at halftime 39-26. The Panthers ended the half on a 26-8 run to pull away from the Golden Grizzlies.

Oakland led 18-13 halfway through the period, which might not seem alarming except for the fact that Oakland is 22-0 when leading at halftime. Pitt responded with several key baskets, capped off by a layup by Wannamaker, during which he was fouled, that finally put the Panthers ahead.

Freshman Dante Taylor and J.J. Richardson are both seeing significant playing time as Jamie Dixon is cycling through his big men to guard Oakland’s 6-foot-11 Keith Benson.

Oakland, however, has the advantage at the free-throw line. The Panthers went 13-18 while Oakland shot 9-11 at the line.

One of Oakland’s leading scorers, Derick Nelson, left the game with a little over 10 minutes remaining in the half due to a cut above his left eye.

The winner of this game will advance to play Xavier in the second round. Pitt defeated Xavier last year in the Sweet Sixteen.