PITTSBURGH, Feb. 21 (UPI) -- Ashton Gibbs and Gilbert Brown combined for 35 points Sunday, helping No. 21 Pittsburgh to a 70-65 Big East upset of No. 3-ranked Villanova.
The Panthers ran out to a 10-point lead midway through the first half and led the entire game. But Villanova was able to work its way close to keep the outcome in question through the second half, even if the Wildcats never caught Pitt.
The last challenge came when Villanova's Scottie Reynolds made a lay-up that pulled the Wildcats within 68-65 with 1.4 seconds left. But Gibbs was fouled and was able to put the game away with two free throws.
Gibbs ended with 21 points and Brown 16 for the Panthers (21-6, 10-4 Big East), who have won five straight.
Villanova (22-4, 11-3), also beaten by Connecticut last week, has dropped back-to-back games for the first time in nearly two seasons. Reynolds paced the Wildcats' attack with 20 points, including 17 in the final 11 minutes.
