BOX SCORE
VILLANOVA, Pa. -- This one looked like it would come down to the wire, another grind-it-out Big East game decided in the final minutes, or even the waning seconds.
But after James Bells fastbreak dunk tied the game with 5:13 left, Villanova was held scoreless. Out-defended and out-rebounded by Pittsburgh, the Wildcats lost, 58-43, on Wednesday night to mark the programs lowest scoring output at the Pavilion, which opened Feb. 1, 1986.
Villanova, which fell to 11-6 and 2-2 in Big East play, missed its final seven field goal attempts and turned the ball over three times down the stretch while Pitt (14-4, 2-3) pulled away, scoring the games final 15 points (see Instant Replay).
We just couldnt break through, said Villanova coach Jay Wright, who also credited a Pitt defense he described as outstanding.
The Wildcats, who shot just 31.8 percent, struggled in statistical categories they had recently performed well -- rebounding and bench points. They were outrebounded 39-27, but what sticks out is the mere one offensive board they brought down and failure to score a second-chance point. Their bench, which had averaged 26.7 points over the 10 prior games (eight wins), was outscored 31-8. Eighteen turnovers to just 10 assists certainly didnt help Villanovas cause, either.
Defensively, Wright pointed out that the Panthers excelled on ball-screen defense and in the post. Their big men -- 7-foot center Steven Adams and 6-foot-9 forward Talib Zanna -- stayed behind Villanovas larger players -- Mouphtaou Yarou, Daniel Ochefu and JayVaughn Pinkston -- making it difficult for them to get offensive rebounds. Ultimately, Wright said, his team just didn't handle Pitt's defense well.
I was getting to the spots on the floor that I wanted to get, but it was just that they were playing behind us in the post and I couldnt see over them really to either find my opposite big or just to score, said Pinkston, who scored just eight points on 2-of-6 shooting and brought down five rebounds.
Darrun Hilliard was Villanovas lone double-digit scorer with 14, all of which came in the first half. The sophomore guard accounted for four of his teams seven made field goals in the first half, but foul trouble and a jammed right thumb hindered his production in the second.
They were tough defensively, he said. I got my shots in the first half. We just didnt do what we usually do on the offensive end, like offensive rebound and get our second-chance points like we usually do.
Durand Johnson and Trey Zeigler came off the bench to lead Pitt with 13 points apiece. It was just the second time all season Johnson reached double figures. The first came Saturday.
Villanovas Ryan Arcidiacono scored just five points on just 2-of-10 shooting from the field, including 1 of 7 from beyond the arc, and turned the ball over six times to just two assists. That makes 12 turnovers and just 12 points over the last two games for Arcidiacono. However, Wright isn't worried about his freshman point guard.
Weve had a lot of freshman point guards start here, but theyve all had All-Americans on either side of them, Wright said. Hes got two young guys on either side of him and theres a lot of pressure on him. ... As everybody gets better, I think hes going to be a lot better. I think he has a lot on his shoulders right now. The kind of kid he is, I dont worry about his confidence.
Wednesdays meeting marked the last time Pitt will visit Villanova as members of the Big East, as the Panthers are moving to the ACC after the season. The series has been a bit lopsided lately. The Wildcats, who will visit the Petersen Events Center on March 3, havent beaten their intrastate foe since March 28, 2009, when Scottie Reynolds last-second basket sent Villanova to the Final Four.
Obviously we have a great tradition playing against Villanova, a lot of history over the years, Pitt coach Jamie Dixon said. In just the 14 years Ive been here, theyve been good, weve been good and its great to come here.
Though before conference play Wright said he wasnt thinking about his last meetings with these various Big East teams, he admitted Wednesday night it crossed his mind.
I love these games," Wright said. "Theyre always tough, physical games. (It) actually went through my mind at halftime, it was 23-22. I was just thinking to myself, typical Pitt-Villanova, you know? Just a grind-out game and I love it. They always challenge your toughness.
I will miss these games. I really will.
E-mail Jake Kaplan at jkaplan@comcastsportsnet.com