Brown, Dixon help Pitt dominate Oakland

NCAA Basketball Betting Lines

03/19/2010 - Milwaukee, WI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Gilbert Brown and Jermaine Dixon each finished with 17 points to lead Pittsburgh to an 89-66 rout of Oakland in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Nasir Robinson and Brad Wanamaker each had 13 points for the Panthers (25-8), who are seeded third in the West Region and will next face sixth-seeded Xavier. The Musketeers got past Minnesota, 65-54, earlier Friday in Milwaukee.

Keith Benson posted a game-high 28 points to go with nine rebounds for No. 14 seed Oakland (26-9), which was making its second NCAA Tournament appearance in school history. The Summit League-champion Golden Grizzlies also got 17 points from Ledrick Eackles, and were leading midway through the first half when starting forward Derick Nelson suffered a gash near his left eye.

The cut bled profusely, causing Nelson to leave the game for the rest of the period as Pitt took control. Nelson returned in the second half, but the Panthers didn't let Oakland back in the contest on the way to the win.

In a tight start to the contest, Oakland led 14-10 when Gary McGhee went up for a short shot in the lane. He was fouled on the play, but as he was landing, his elbow slammed into Nelson's face with 10:23 remaining. Nelson put his hand up, then lay down on the ground as blood flowed out covering his hand and dripping on the floor.

Trainers rushed out to treat Nelson, putting bandages on the cut. He eventually sat up, dazed, and walked off the court.

The Grizzlies continued to lead for the next several minutes, but the Panthers used a 19-2 run to take control. Brown capped the run with a layup with 3:33 left, putting Pitt ahead 32-20.

The Panthers went into the break with a 39-26 lead and continued to roll in the second half. Two Wanamaker foul shots with 15:23 left extended the advantage to 51-31, and Pittsburgh continued to make shots as it cruised to the finish.

Game Notes

Oakland's only other tourney appearance came in 2005, when the Grizzlies won the opening round game before losing to top-seeded North Carolina...2005 was also the last time Pitt lost a first-round tourney game. The Panthers, seeded ninth that year, dropped their tournament opener to Pacific...Pitt is making its school-record ninth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance...The Panthers shot 53.6 percent while holding Oakland to 33.3 percent shooting...McGhee finished with 12 points and six rebounds.

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