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Luke Harangody-Less Notre Dame Tops No. 12 Pitt
South Bend, IN (Sports Network) - Tim Abromaitis posted 17 points and five rebounds, and Ben Hansbrough added 15 and nine, as Notre Dame used a terrific showing from three-point range to snap 12th-ranked Pittsburgh's five game- winning streak with a convincing 68-53 decision at the Joyce Center.
The Fighting Irish (18-10, 7-8 Big East), in dire need of another signature win to boost their bleak NCAA tournament hopes, made 10-of-18 from long range to emphatically halt a three-game skid.
Notre Dame was still without leading scorer and rebounder Luke Harangody (knee), but Tory Jackson was able to orchestrate a balanced attack with 14 points and seven assists. Tyrone Nash chipped in 13 points and seven boards, as the Irish surprisingly won the battle of the glass, 34-25.
The Panthers (21-7, 10-5) were mired in a 1-4 slump play before their recent stretch had them sitting in sole possession of third place in the conference.
They couldn't sustain that momentum Wednesday, hitting just 4-of-18 from behind the arc and benefiting from only a pair of double-digit scorers in Jermaine Dixon (13 points) and Ashton Gibbs (11).
The Irish, who had a week to prepare following a 91-89 double-overtime loss at Louisville last Wednesday night, led by eight at the break and quickly made it double digits on a Nash jumper and Carleton Scott three-pointer.
Brad Wanamaker followed with a jumper to make it a 40-29 game, but the bucket was Pitt's only successful field goal in the first six-plus minutes of the second half.
Scott made another one from behind the arc, Hansbrough converted a three-point play off a reserve layup and Abromaitis drained a three from the right corner, giving the hosts a comfortable 52-30 lead with 14 minutes remaining.
The margin didn’t dip below 20 until there was six minutes left in the game, and the Irish cruised to the much-needed win.
Four early three-pointers gave Notre Dame a little breathing room in the opening half, and an Abromaitis slam produced a 22-12 lead near the midway point.
The Panthers cut their deficit to as little as four, but Jackson beat the halftime buzzer with a 12-footer for a 35-27 cushion.
Prior to the game, Notre Dame honored Harangody, who has missed the last three games, by making the two-time All-American the first inductee into its Ring of Honor...On Saturday, Pitt visits St. John’s, and Notre Dame travels to Georgetown...The all-time series is now tied, 27-27...Pitt fell to 5-4 on the road this season...Wanamaker, who came in averaging 12.3 points, ended with nine...Notre Dame shot 50.0 percent overall.
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