Without Blair, Pitt beats Belmont

By Zack Chakan

Despite playing without an injured DeJuan Blair, No. 4 Pitt outlasted Belmont at the Petersen… Despite playing without an injured DeJuan Blair, No. 4 Pitt outlasted Belmont at the Petersen Events Center tonight, 74-60. Sam Young scored a career-high 33 points on 13-of-17 shooting, and Levance Fields added 17 points, six assists and five rebounds for the Panthers (5-0). Blair missed the game with inflammation in his right knee. Pitt coach Jamie Dixon said that Blair wanted to play, but doctors had him sit out. Gary McGhee started in Blair’s place. The Panthers emerged with the victory despite getting outrebounded, 44-34, including 25 offensive rebounds from the Bruins (1-2). Pitt held Belmont to only 29-percent shooting, 9-of-29 on 3-pointers. Jermaine Dixon joined Young and Fields in double digits for the Panthers, scoring 10 points. Matthew Dotson paced Belmont with 16 points, and Alex Renfroe threw in 12 more with 12 rebounds. Gilbert Brown saw his first game action for the Panthers, coming off the bench. More details later on www.pittnews.com