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Sloppy Pitt Survives Vs. ETSU

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The Associated Press

Published: March 21, 2009

Updated: 03/21/2009 12:45 am

DAYTON, Ohio - Pittsburgh intends to make history in this year's NCAA Tournament. The Panthers almost did in their first game.

Playing as a No. 1 seed for the first time but hardly looking the part, Pitt overcame a sloppy performance and a frightful 40 minutes from No. 16 seed East Tennessee State to advance with a 72-62 win Friday in the East Region.

Pitt massive center DeJuan Blair bullied his way inside for 27 points and 16 rebounds as the Panthers (29-4) managed to extend their season, which with a little more than four minutes left was in jeopardy of ending sooner than they ever imagined.

"We survived," Blair said.

Barely.

ETSU, a small college tucked in the rolling hills of northeast Tennessee, nearly pulled off the shocker of shockers.

A No. 16 has never beaten a No. 1.

"We had them," said senior guard Kevin Tiggs. "We just couldn't get over the hump."

Pittsburgh, trying to shake its reputation as an underachiever this time of year, will play eighth-seeded Oklahoma State, a 77-75 winner over ninth-seeded Tennessee, in Sunday's second round.

The Panthers had better improve if they want go much further. They made 18 turnovers, struggled with ETSU's end-to-end press and hardly looked like a squad picked by many to win its first title.

"Having a tough game like that at the beginning keeps you on your toes," said Panthers senior forward Sam Young. "Every game gets harder and harder."

Tiggs scored 21 for the Buccaneers (23-11), who shot just 31 percent and missed 12 free throws but still had a chance to become the first bottom seed to win a first-round game.

Pittsburgh's first excursion lugging around the top-seed target was a very bumpy ride.

When Buccaneers guard Courtney Pigram drained a 3-pointer with 4:27 left, ETSU was within 59-57.

Blair scored on a 3-point play to give the Panthers a five-point cushion, and after Tiggs made two free throws to bring ETSU within 62-59, Blair lobbed a pass up the floor to point guard Levance Fields. Pitt's leader, who has been bothered by a groin injury, was able to outrace two ETSU defenders for a left-handed layup.

The Bucs missed a free throw and Pitt capitalized as Ashton Gibbs hit a long 3-pointer and celebrated the big bucket by pounding his fist against his chest.

Tiggs, who was just 6-for-21 from the floor, made a layup to get it to 67-61 with 1:05 left, but ETSU couldn't get any closer as the Panthers made their free throws.

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