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Free Throws Lift Villanova Over Pitt

Cunningham cans two with 10 seconds left; Panther miscues costly

By Mike Buss,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 6, 2008 9:39 PM CST

(Newser) – Pitt was missing two starters, dressed only seven players, committed 22 turnovers and still had a chance to win today at Villanova. Instead, the Panthers committed one last turnover and lost their Big East opener to the 16th-ranked Wildcats, 64-63. Pitt coach Jamie Dixon offered no excuses, saying, "We didn't get tired. We battled."

Dante Cunningham made two free throws with 10 seconds left before Villanova forced the turnover. The Wildcats, led by Malcolm Grant's 22 points, won despite shooting only 34%. Grant, who played with cramps late in the game, drew praise from coach Jay Wright: "It's incredible. He's a freshman but he's the heart and soul of our team." The Villanova (12-2) bench outscored Pitt's two reserves, 39-7.

Villanova's Malcolm Grant, left, reaches around Pittsburgh's Ronald Ramon to try and knock the ball loose during the second half Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008, in Villanova, Pa. Grant was high scorer with 22 points in Villanova's 64-63 win. (AP Photo/Tom Mihalek)
Villanova's Malcolm Grant, left, reaches around Pittsburgh's Ronald Ramon to try and knock the ball loose during the second half Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008, in Villanova, Pa. Grant was high scorer with 22 points...   (Associated Press)
Villanova's Malcolm Grant, right, launches a jumpshot as Pittsburgh's Gilbert Brown defends during the second half of a college basketball game Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008, in Villanova, Pa. Grant was high scorer with 22 points in Villanova's 64-63 win. (AP Photo/Tom Mihalek)
Villanova's Malcolm Grant, right, launches a jumpshot as Pittsburgh's Gilbert Brown defends during the second half of a college basketball game Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008, in Villanova, Pa. Grant was high scorer...   (Associated Press)
Villanova's Malcolm Grant, left, reacts as he is attended to by the team's medical staff after being injured with 15.9 seconds left in a college basketball game with Pittsburgh, Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008, in Villanova, Pa. Grant was the high scorer, finishing with 22 points in the team's 64-63...
Villanova's Malcolm Grant, left, reacts as he is attended to by the team's medical staff after being injured with 15.9 seconds left in a college basketball game with Pittsburgh, Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008,...   (Associated Press)
Villanova's Dante Cunningham, left, has his shot blocked by Pittsburgh's Dejuan Blair, right during the first half of a college basketball game Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008, in Villanova, Pa. (AP Photo/Tom Mihalek)
Villanova's Dante Cunningham, left, has his shot blocked by Pittsburgh's Dejuan Blair, right during the first half of a college basketball game Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008, in Villanova, Pa. (AP Photo/Tom Mihalek)   (Associated Press)
Villanova's head coach Jay Wright gestures to his players during their game with Pittsburgh, Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008, in Villanova, Pa. Villanova won 64-63. (AP Photo/Tom Mihalek)
Villanova's head coach Jay Wright gestures to his players during their game with Pittsburgh, Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008, in Villanova, Pa. Villanova won 64-63. (AP Photo/Tom Mihalek)   (Associated Press)
Villanova's Dante Cunningham launches the game-winning shot from the foul line with 15.9 seconds remaining in the game with Pittsburgh, Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008, in Villanova, Pa. (AP Photo/Tom Mihalek,)
Villanova's Dante Cunningham launches the game-winning shot from the foul line with 15.9 seconds remaining in the game with Pittsburgh, Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008, in Villanova, Pa. (AP Photo/Tom Mihalek,)   (Associated Press)
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