COL BKB: Pittsburgh 90, Marquette 75

PITTSBURGH, March 4 (UPI) -- Gilbert Brown scored seven points during a late 16-0 run Wednesday that lifted No. 4 Pittsburgh to a 90-75 win over 15th-ranked Marquette.

After falling behind by three near the midway point of the second half, the Panthers closed the game with a 30-12 rush that kept alive their hopes of sharing the Big East Conference regular-season title.

Pittsburgh will go into its final contest trailing conference leaders Connecticut and Louisville by one. The Panthers can share the championship with a win over Connecticut and a Louisville loss to West Virginia.

DeJuan Blair led Pittsburgh with 23 points and nine rebounds, Sam Young chipped in 18 points and Brown had 13. Pittsburgh (27-3, 14-3 Big East) also wrapped up a spot among the top four in the league, ensuring the Panthers a bye past the opening two rounds of next week's grueling Big East Tournament.

The teams that finish ninth through 16th in the conference must win five games in five days to capture the tournament. Teams finishing fifth through eighth must win four games in four days.

Jerel McNeal scored 23 to pace Marquette (23-7, 12-5). The Golden Eagles have dropped three straight to No. 1 Connecticut, No. 6 Louisville and No. 4 Pittsburgh.