Brad Wanamaker scored 18 points to help Pittsburgh quickly open up a 10-point lead, and the Panthers overcame a poor shooting game by its leading scorer and a sluggish second half to beat Kent State 71-59 on Saturday.
Wanamaker made all three of his 3-point attempts as Pitt (8-2) withstood a 10-point game by Ashton Gibbs, who came in averaging 17 points before being held to three points in the first 33 minutes. Gibbs scored 48 points in his previous two games - 25 in a 74-64 loss to Indiana on Tuesday and 23 against New Hampshire - only to miss seven of his first eight shots.
Despite Gibbs' slow start, the Panthers won a school-record 44th consecutive home game against a non-conference opponent and their 27th in a row at the Petersen Events Center. Justin Greene scored 17 for Kent State (5-4).
