Updated at 4:40 p.m., Saturday, March 17, 2007
Pitt beats Virginia Commonwealth in West Regional
By John Kekis
Associated Press
Fields atoned for two missed free throws at the end of the regulation, and Pitt recovered after blowing a 19-point lead, beating upstart VCU 84-79 today in the second round of the West Regional.
Maynor, who hit the game-winning shot to beat Duke in the first round, led a comeback from a 51-32 deficit. Fields made a clutch 3-pointer in overtime and Ronald Ramon scored five points in the extra session.
Third-seeded Pitt (29-7), which has never won more than two games in an NCAA tournament, will make its fourth appearance in school history in the round of 16.
Pitt is coached by Jamie Dixon, a former Hawai'i assistant.
Jesse Pellot-Rosa had 20 points, all in the second half, and B.A. Walker also had 20 for the 11th-seeded Rams (28-7). Maynor finished with 14 points, eight assists and three steals.
Sam Young finished with 15 points to lead Pitt and Aaron Gray had 14 points and eight rebounds. Mike Cook and Young each made a pair of free throws in the final 20 seconds to seal the triumph.
