Survive and advance. That is the theme of the NCAA tournament and the Pittsburgh Panthers certainly took no chances in Orlando on Thursday. Cruising to a 46-18 halftime lead and never really challenged at any point, the Panthers dominated the Colorado Buffaloes, by a 77-48 final score. It was the largest margin of victory in NCAA tournament history for the Panthers and the most lopsided 9 vs. 8 seed matchup in tournament history.
Talib Zanna led all scorers with 18 points and added five rebounds, two blocks and a steal. Cam Wright pitched in with 11 points and three steals and James Robinson added eight assists along with six rebounds and six steals. Josh Scott led the Buffaloes with 14 points.
The Panthers were able to start the game with an 11-0 run that was keyed by multiple forced turnovers, and they never looked back. Two early steals by Wright along with six quick points by Zanna helped the Panthers off to their fast start, and Colorado was unable to respond.
Wright and Zanna paced the Panthers first half domination with a combined 26 points and James Robinson added six early assists, along with two of the Panthers ten total first half steals.
Colorado simply could not get any offense going and shot 29 percent in the first half and was held scoreless for the first six minutes of the game. They were also held to one field goal made over an eight-minute span later in the half and committed 17 turnovers. The Panthers, by contrast, shot an incredible 62 percent from the field and were able to limit the mistakes, committing only three turnovers all day.
Missing leading scorer Spencer Dinwiddie, the Buffaloes simply had no answer for the Panthers suffocating defense and transition game. Leading scorer Scott was held under wraps throughout, and Askia Booker, who came in averaging 14 points a game, was stifled throughout, scoring just six points.
The Panthers were able to control the second half as well, as the Buffaloes simply never were in the game. The bench was able to help rest some of the starters in preparation for a potential Saturday matchup with top-seeded Florida, who plays number 16 seed Albany this afternoon. Chris Jones was able to pitch in with eight second half points. Jamel Artis also added seven points and three rebounds.
