Pitt Withstands Late Villanova Comeback, Maintains Big East Lead

VILLANOVA, Pa. -- Brad Wanamaker scored 21 points and Nasir Robinson added another 15 to help lift the fourth-ranked Pitt Panthers to an impressive 57-54 win over No. 9 Villanova on the road Saturday night.

Playing their second game without star guard Ashton Gibbs (MCL injury), the Panthers used a spirited 15-2 run early in the second half to provide some separation and then held in the end to further solidify their place as the top Big East team. Pitt's win at Villanova's Pavilion marked the Wildcats' first home loss in 47 games since 2007.

The Panthers, who sit atop the Big East with a 23-2, 11-1 league mark, improved to 6-0 in conference road games this season.

But Antonio Pena and the Wildcats (19-6, 7-5) made it interesting toward the end. Pena hit a 3-pointer to pull his team within three points with 58 second remaining. Pena then came up with a heads-up strip of Wanamaker on the other end on the next possession to set up the potentially game-tying 3-pointer. But Maalik Wayns' 3-point launch came well after time had expired.

Center Mouphtaou Yarou led the Wildcats with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Wayns added 13 points and Pena contributed 10 on the night.

Wanamaker and Robinson -- two Philadelphia products who were playing in front many family and friends -- were the Panthers lone two scorers in double figures.

How It Was Won: Pitt played great defense throughout the night, contesting nearly every shot Villanova attempted. The Panthers limited Villanova to just 36 percent shooting for the night and 33 percent in the pivotal second half.

How It Was Lost: The Wildcats just didn't make the shots when they needed to. They went too many long stretches without converting key baskets, including early in the second half when Pitt went on a 15-2 run to pull away.

Key Stat: Pitt got to the foul line 30 times where it converted 20 free throws while Villanova went just 15 of 20 from the free throw line for the night.

What we liked: The Panthers continue to show they are an elite team even without leading scorer Ashton Gibbs on the floor. They have improved to 6-0 in Big East road games, which is something hard to achieve in the country's toughest conference.