Panthers top ‘Cats at home

Despite the meteoric rise of Pitt basketball during the past decade, the program has been… Despite the meteoric rise of Pitt basketball during the past decade, the program has been regularly ridiculed for failing to land any McDonald’s All-Americans, season after season. Last night, however, the Panthers once again silenced their critics and proved that the program is just fine without any.

A tremendous 26-point performance from Villanova’s former McDonald’s All-American Scottie Reynolds was not enough to overcome the significant contributions from all of the Pitt starters as the Panthers polished off the Wildcats, 69-57, at the Petersen Events Center last night.

“We had very good play from all eight of our guys,” Pitt coach Jamie Dixon said. “I think all eight were key. We had some foul trouble to play through, but we couldn’t have done it without anyone of those eight guys. It was a very good win against a very good team.”

Pitt looked like an entirely different squad from the one that lost by one point to Villanova earlier this month. That was the first game without starters Levance Fields and Mike Cook, who remain sidelined with injuries.

“When we played them last time, you could tell they were just finding their way and rotation with the injuries,” Villanova coach Jay Wright said. “They look completely comfortable now.”

Both teams played very sloppily during the first half.

Even with nine turnovers in the game’s first 10 minutes, Pitt held on to an early 14-7 lead, thanks in large part to Villanova’s 18.8 field goal percentage on 3 of 16 from the field. The Panthers finished with a season-high 12 first-half turnovers.

Poor shooting and ball management aside, Pitt was strong on the boards in the early going. Freshman forward DeJuan Blair limited the Wildcats’ second chance opportunities with seven first half rebounds.

The Panthers maintained a 29-23 advantage heading to the lockers.

Villanova, however, came out firing in the second half.

Antonio Pena made a quick layup, answered by a 3-pointer from Ronald Ramon. The Wildcats then scored two more unanswered layups to close the Pitt lead to three. Three free throws and a field goal later, however, and the Panthers were back on top by six.

Scottie Reynolds closed the gap to one with 14:21 remaining in the game. Last season’s Big East Rookie of the Year converted two free throws and on the ensuing possession finished a Villanova fastbreak with a 3-pointer.

Two possessions later, Reynolds gave the Wildcats their first lead of the game on a fastbreak layup.

As it had all night, Pitt responded. And this time, the Panthers were sure to put the game out of reach. Pitt put together a 22-3 run during the next 8:49 to close the door on Villanova.

“Basketball is all about runs,” guard Keith Benjamin said. “We got patient, and we started picking them apart.

The scoring outburst was capped with a steal and highlight-reel dunk by Sam Young that triggered an eruption of screams from the Oakland Zoo.

Young finished with a team-high 15 point and added four blocks.

Blair totaled 14 rebounds to go along with his 10 points.

“We knew we had to rebound because we didn’t do that well last time,” Blair said. “We did an excellent job tonight.”

“When we out-rebound people, we tend to have things go our way,” Dixon said.

Junior forward Tyrell Biggs pitched in 14 points, eight of which came during the 22-3 run.

“He was around the ball,” Dixon said. “I thought he played good defense for us too. I thought he did a good job. He played good minutes. He’s a guy that we need. I keep thinking we can get more out of him.”

The Panthers will travel to face the Connecticut Huskies on Saturday. Tip off is set for 1 p.m.