It was a closer game than most expected but #1 Pittsburgh was able to outlast #8 Oklahoma State at the University of Dayton Arena on Sunday 84-76.

“It’s a tough bracket we’re in,” Panthers forward DeJuan Blair said. “We’re just fighting through it.”

Oklahoma States tough play earned them a great deal of respect from the Pittsburgh team; instead of celebrated they gathered and shook hands with their opponents.

“We were right there,” said OSU guard Byron Eaton. “We were never out of it. Pittsburgh’s a good team. You can’t take nothing from them guys. We had a great game plan, but we just couldn’t accomplish what we wanted to do.”

The Panthers played poorly and need to step their game up if they want to win it all.