COL BKB: Pittsburgh 68, Marquette 61

NEW YORK, March 15 (UPI) -- Sam Young kept Pittsburgh's surprising run going in the Big East Tournament Friday by scoring 22 points in a 68-61 semifinal win over Marquette.

The Panthers defeated the 13th-ranked Louisville Cardinals in the quarterfinals before downing No. 24 Marquette, thus reaching the tournament's title game for the third straight year and for the seventh time in eight seasons.

Ronald Ramon added 14 points for the Panthers (25-9), who will take on No. 9 Georgetown in the finals on Saturday. Georgetown defeated Pittsburgh in last year's championship contest.

Marquette (24-9) was led by 17 points from Jerel McNeal.

Pittsburgh saw a 10-point lead cut to three with 78 seconds remaining, but Pittsburgh converted its free throws down the stretch to pull away.

The Panthers opened the game with a 16-4 run that put the Golden Eagles in a catchup mode for the entire contest.