COL BKB: Pitt 72, East Tenn. State 62

DAYTON, Ohio, March 20 (UPI) -- DeJuan Blair's 27 points and 16 rebounds Friday led Pittsburgh to a sloppy 72-62 first-round NCAA Tournament win over East Tennessee State at Dayton.

Pitt, the top seed in the East Region, struggled to a 26-23 halftime lead against its inspired, 16th-seeded opponents, and never held a double-digit advantage until the end.

The Panthers committed 18 turnovers against ETSU's pressure defenses and shot just 43.6 percent from the field in one of their shakiest performances this season.

Sam Young scored 14 with 13 rebounds, and reserve Ashton Gibbs added 10 points and four rebounds for the Panthers (29-4), who are a No. 1 regional seed for the first time in school history.

Kevin Tiggs led ETSU with 21 points and four assists.

Courtney Pigram, the only other player in double figures, scored 17 with three rebounds for the Buccaneers (23-11), who shot just 30.3 percent and sank only 4-of-22 free throws.

Pitt plays No. 8 seed Oklahoma State in Sunday's second round.