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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, January 2, 2010

CBKB: Pitt deals No. 5 Syracuse its first loss, 82-72


Associated Press

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — No. 5 Syracuse is no longer unbeaten.

Ashton Gibbs scored 24 points and Jermaine Dixon added 21 to lead Pittsburgh to an 82-72 victory over the Orange. The loss dropped the number of major unbeaten teams to four, with other unbeatens scheduled to play later Saturday.

Pittsburgh (12-2, 2-0 Big East) has now beaten Syracuse (13-1, 1-1) the last four times it has visited the Carrier Dome.

After losing most of a nine-point second-half lead, the Panthers seized control with a 14-3 run. A pair of free throws by Dante Taylor put Pitt ahead 60-47 with 8:33 left and Syracuse couldn't recover.

Pitt has won five straight and five of six against top 5 teams.

Wes Johnson led Syracuse with 19 points.