In a game that most of the experts predicted would be dominated by defense, Pittsburgh and California did not disappoint.  The entire first half was a defensive struggle that did not see either team lead by more than four points.  It ended with Pitt holding on to a slim 26-25 lead.  As good as the Panthers defense performed that half, it was nothing compared to what they had in store for Cal after the break.

After Cal was able to take a 32-28 lead, Pitt clamped down and held them scoreless for nine and a half minutes and with out a fieldgoal for over eleven minutes.  During that stretch, Pitt was able to amass a 16 point run that pushed them to a 44-32 lead.  The Golden Bears were never able to recover.  For the game, Cal was only able to shoot 31% from the field and 4-24 from three point range.

The only real negative that came out of the game was the Panthers’ performance from the free throw line.  They shot a dismal 12-26 for the game.  That may work against a team like California but in order to advance further in this tournament, it must improve.

Pittsburgh’s next game will be against the Cinderella 10^th seed Kent St.  Kent St. advanced to the Sweet Sixteen by defeating Oklahoma St. 69-61 and then Alabama 71-58.  The game will be played at Rupp Arena in Lexington Kentucky on March 21^st.