Pitt Ends ‘Nova's Home Win Streak at 46

The Wildcats ended a 46-game winning streak at the Pavilion that started Jan. 17, 2007 with Saturday's loss to Pitt.

Jamie Dixon was impressed. Brad Wanamaker scored clutch baskets and Nasir Robinson was big on the boards, the kind of effort needed to win a feisty Big East battle.

"The Philly guys played like Philly guys," said Dixon, Pittsburgh's coach.
      
Thankfully for Dixon, those Philly guys were playing for the Panthers.
      
Wanamaker scored 21 points, Robinson had 15 and No. 4 Pittsburgh escaped with a 57-54 win over No. 9 Villanova on Saturday night.
      
It was a festive homecoming for Wanamaker and Robinson, twolocal players who shunned the Philadelphia schools and headed to Western Pennsylvania.
      
``We missed on both guys, no doubt,'' Villanova coach Jay Wright said. ``They proved it tonight.''
      
The Panthers (23-2, 11-1 Big East) proved they remain the team to beat in the rugged Big East.
      
Pitt shows no sign of relinquishing its conference lead with six games left. They stormed into town and did what no team had done since Jan. 6, 2007 - beat the Wildcats in their on-campus home.
      
Antonio Pena tried to win it for Villanova (19-6, 7-5) in the final minute. He hit a 3-pointer with 58 seconds left to make it a three-point game, then forced a turnover on Pitt's possession.
      
Dominic Cheek missed a tying 3-point attempt and the offensive rebound was kicked out to Maalik Wayns. His shot swished through the net - a tick after the final buzzer.
      
There was one punch, three technical fouls and 50 shots from the free throw line.
             
The Wildcats ended a 46-game winning streak at the Pavilion that started Jan. 17, 2007.
      
ESPN brought ``GameDay'' to campus and fans camped out for prime seats and the chance to see former Villanova star Randy Foye have his No. 2 jersey raised to the rafters. Phillies slugger Ryan Howard had a front-row seat for the game.