Pitt played an uneven first half, but managed to hang on for a 61-56 victory over Tennessee Saturday night.
In doing so, Pitt avenged an 83-76 loss to the Volunteers almost a year ago.
Tennessee controlled the tempo of the game early on, but went to halftime with a one-point lead. The Volunteers grabbed a 31-27 lead with 16 minutes left to play, but Nasir Robinson and Dante Taylor keyed the Panthers’ comeback, and Pitt had a 40-35 lead with 12 minutes left.
From there, the Panthers never managed to put together a big lead, but Ashton Gibbs made some key baskets down the stretch, and Pitt never trailed in the last 13 minutes of the game.
Robinson had 16 points and 12 rebounds, including nine on the offensive glass. Gibbs had 16 points as well, but needed 21 shots to accumulate them.
For more on the Panthers, be sure to check out Cardiac Hill.