There have been plenty of great Big East Conference moments at the Petersen Events Center over the years, but with the upcoming move to the ACC, the Pitt Panthers will be turning a new chapter in making history at The Pete.
Thanks to a big effort in overtime from Talib Zanna and a couple big clutch three-pointers from freshman James Robinson, the Panthers closed their chapter of Big East history the same way they started it- with a win as No. 23 Pitt knocked off Villanova 73-64 in their final career Big East home game.
Zanna, who has struggled over the course of the past few weeks, turned in a huge game, with 14 points and 19 rebounds, but he saved his biggest for the overtime period where he scored nine points, including outscoring the Wildcats 7-0 by himself to start the extra period. He also grabbed four rebounds in the extra period to help carry Pitt to the victory.
Zanna’s 19 rebounds were a career-high and the most by a Pitt (23-7, 11-6) player since DeJuan Blair grabbed 23 against Connecticut in 2009.
“I knew I had that in me, “said Zanna. “I just needed to bring it out. I just wanted to come out and have a good game for the seniors, Tray (Woodall) and Dante (Taylor) are such great leaders, it meant a lot for me to have a big game for their final home game. We needed this win and I think when we got to overtime, I think they were a little tired and I just wanted to be aggressive.”
However the Panthers wouldn’t have gotten to overtime if it weren’t for the heroics of Robinson, who canned a corner three with 32 seconds remaining in the game to tie things up at 57. Then the freshman struck again in overtime, knocking down a three from the opposite corner after a pretty drive and kick from Tray Woodall to put the Panthers up 69-64.
“I kind of had to shoot the ball,” said Robinson. “The clock was winding down and the guys made a good play each time to get me the ball when I was open. My teammates have shown confidence in me all season and it was nice to reward that confidence today.”
Both teams came out slow early in the game and after the Panthers took a 21-20 led with four minutes remaining in the first half, they would never lead again until Zanna gave them a 60-57 lead with a layup and a free-throw to begin overtime.
“We called a timeout with about 18 minutes remaining and I told them that this would be similar to the first Villanova game, as we trailed by eight in the second half there also” said Pitt head coach Jamie Dixon. “We needed contributions from everyone today, with Steven (Adams) out and us being in foul trouble. Everyone played a big role in this one and Talib and James made some big plays when we needed them the most.”
After Robinson’s three in overtime, Zanna hit a pair of free-throws before Woodall grabbed a rebound and found a streaking Taylor for a breakaway dunk to put the game away. Shortly after Dixon made the classy move to take both Taylor and Woodall out of the game to get the deserving standing ovation from a packed Oakland Zoo.
It was a fitting ending for the two Pitt seniors, roommates and best friends as they played their final home game in a Pitt uniform.
“It was so special,” said an emotional and tearful Taylor after the game. “To see my mom and family with a smile on their face before the game, just knowing I made them proud means everything. It was fitting to end it with a dunk on a pass from Tray.”
Dixon also got a little emotional about his two seniors.
“We’ve never had a better teammate than Dante,” said Dixon. “He is all about team. We’ve never had two more unselfish players than Tray and Dante. They have done everything we have asked of them and I am very proud of everything they have accomplished.”
The win gives the Panthers 10 wins in their past 13 as they position themselves nicely to earn a double-bye in the Big East Tournament. A win against DePaul on Saturday, coupled with a Notre Dame loss could get them that.
But as Pitt prepares for the Big East Tournament, they will be leaving behind a ton of memories.
“You say to yourself that it doesn’t get any better than this, playing in the best basketball conference in the country,” said Dixon. “Going forward, we think that we can help make the ACC the best basketball conference in the country.”
Robinson and Zanna tied for the Pitt lead in scoring with 14 points each. In addition to Zanna’s double-double, Woodall also had a double-double with 13 points and 11 assists.
The Wildcats were led by Ryan Arcidiacono with 23 points. Mouphtaou added 14, while JayVaughn Pinkston chipped in 13.
“Great college basketball game,” said Villanova (18-12, 9-8) head coach Jay Wright. “It was a pleasure to be a part of it although I didn’t like the ending. We had opportunities and had the ball with the chance to win the game. If you don’t execute, you don’t deserve to win the game. You have to give credit to Pitt though. That’s why they are nationally ranked.”
Photo Credit: Associated Press
