Ben Hansbrough controlled the game tempo running Notre Dame’s “Burn” offense the entire game en route to 19 points and a 56-51 victory in Pittsburgh.  Carleton Scott added 16 points and 9 rebounds including 5 out of 6 from three point range.

Pitt entered the game sporting the #2 national ranking with a 19-1 record, 7-0 in the Big East, and a 20-game home winning streak.  It had been scoring 79 points per conference game and had the best rebounding margin by far.  Mike Brey’s answer was a stubbornly slow tempo that frustrated the Panthers the longer it lasted.

While Hansbrough, Scott, and the Burn will get a lot of credit, ND’s defense should not be overlooked.  Pitt entered the game making 49% of its three point shots and 52% from inside the arc on its home court, but the Irish held it to 40% from both distances with a mix of aggressive zone and stifling man-to-man.  Leading scorer Ashton Gibbs made just 4 of 13 shots for 9 points.  Gilbert Brown led the Panthers with 13 points.

Pittsburgh entered the game leading the Big East in rebounding margin with a remarkable +9.3 per game; and true to form, it comfortably won the battle of the boards against the Irish 29-23.  However, the Irish outrebounded the Panthers 5-0 in the last minute to secure the victory.

Scott Martin kept the Irish in the game early with three 3-point baskets in the first eight minutes.  His marksmanship drew ND even in the middle of the game.  Then Hansbrough took the ball.  A pair of free throws, a nice assist on a basket by Jack Cooley, and a three put the Irish in front with 8:29 to play; and they didn’t trail again.

“We just couldn’t contain him (Hansbrough) off the dribble,” Pitt head coach Jamie Dixon said after the game.  “I was surprised with how he was able to beat us.”

After the media timeout, a nice pass from Martin got Scott a three and a foul.  He converted the four point play when Brad Wannamaker fouled him, and ND had a five point lead.

Pittsburgh was not about to die easily.  Brown, Gibbs, and Wannamaker each made tough baskets in the lane; but Hansbrough answered with a drive and a basket each time to restore ND’s two possession lead.  Martin added a pair of free throws with 2:09 to play, and the game was Notre Dame’s to win or lose.  A Wannamaker layup with 1:26 to play was all that Pitt had left.

Final score – Notre Dame 56, Pittsburgh 51.

Keys to Victory

In the preview we said, “The Irish handled Cincinnati’s and Marquette’s pressure defense, limited turnovers, controlled tempo, shot well, contested shots, and held their own on the boards.  That is exactly what they need to do to beat Pittsburgh… or any other good team on the road.”

• Against the pressure – Pitt tried to extend the defense times; but ND beat it every time, and the Panthers backed off.
• Turnovers – The Irish had 10, two on shot clock violations which will happen once in a while when the offense doesn’t start until there are 12 seconds left to shoot.  Pitt had just 7 points off of turnovers, ND 8.
• Tempo – Yeah.
• Shooting – The Irish shot 49% for the game, 61% in the second half, and 50% from three point range.
• Rebounding – Pitt dominated until late in the game, but ND owned the boards with the game on the line.

Noteworthy

• ND’s victory is its first in six tries at the Petersen Events Center. The only teams to defeat Pitt twice at the Pete are Georgetown and Louisville.
• Notre Dame now has a three game winning streak against Pitt.
• Pitt had trailed for a total of five minutes in seven Big East games before chasing the lead for 8:29 against the Irish.
• Asked about the challenge of playing a short turnaround game on the road, Hansbrough said, ““I think my body was definitely fatigued, but the fire on this team wasn’t. Coach Brey did a great job of giving us a day’s rest and getting our energy back up.”
• Halfway through the Bug East schedule, ND is 6-3.
• Next: The Irish will visit the Allstate Arena to play DePaul on Thursday, February 3^rd.