The Pitt Panthers defeated the Duquesne Dukes for the 11th consecutive year, winning 80-69 before a City Game record 15,880 spectators. Here are post-game quotes from the coaches and players.
Pitt Head Coach Jamie Dixon
On Duquesne's up-tempo style:
"Duquesne is a hard team to play against. They are unique. They are unlike any team we play. They gamble. They go for steals in the backcourt. You have to get layups on the other end."
On Ashton Gibbs' Performance (18 points, 4-of-9 from 3-point range):
"His shot selection was better, and that's the key with him. That's where we are today. What happened in the past is no longer a factor".
On John Johnson:
"He was terrific tonight and he just keeps getting better and better. He has real focus and determination which impresses me. He's doing a lot of learning and a lot of things he's never done before but he is going to be a very good player and you saw it tonight."
On The City Game as a yearly event:
"It was the best crowd we've ever had, this is why we play it every year...It is great to be continuing this great tradition that began long before I got here."
Pitt forward Dante Taylor
On double-double performance:
"It's a confidence builder. Even before I missed the last two games, I played my last game with a lot of energy and I was able to score. To have another game like this helps going into this Saturday against Tennessee."
Duquesne Head Coach Ron Everhart
On missed opportunities:
"If you were to tell me that we would force 23 turnovers and shoot 52% I would have though we would have a great chance to win....We got what we wanted defensively at times, we just couldn't take advantage of it."
On Pitt's physicality:
"This is the most physical play we've seen all year including Arizona ...Tonight we didn't have a chance."
Duquesne guard/forward B.J. Monteiro
On Pitt's size:
"I don't think it was overwhelming. We knew what we were getting into. Some of those players are so long and tall you have to hit them before they hit the paint."
Duquesne guard T.J. McConnell
On ability to win battles but come up short:
"We fought hard. We did everything we needed to do. We could have rebounded better but we played our game. We just came up short."
On increased offensive production in the second half:
"I just tried to let the game come to me. When I was open I shot it and did a better job using defense lead to offense."