PITTSBURGH (AP) – Pittsburgh guard James Robinson hit a runner with 12 seconds remaining to give the Panthers the lead for good in a 76-72 upset of No. 8 Notre Dame on Saturday.
Robinson finished with 14 points and 10 assists for his first career double-double, including a twisting basket in traffic after Notre Dame’s Jerian Grant gave the Irish a 72-71 lead on two free throws with 31 seconds to go.
Notre Dame’s Steve Vasturia took an open 3-pointer that clanged off the rim on the Irish’s next possession. Jamel Artis made two free throws and Robinson stole the inbounds pass to seal it as the Panthers (14-8, 4-5 ACC) ended a three-game losing streak.
Grant had 14 points for Notre Dame (20-3, 8-2), including all nine during a 9-0 run that turned a 71-63 deficit into a 72-71 lead.
Pitt, desperately needing a marquee win to kickstart a sagging season, hung with the Irish early then got tough late. The game was tied at 63 when Chris Jones made a lay-up to put the Panthers up. Cameron Wright followed with an emphatic block on Notre Dame’s Demetrius Jackson, leading to an Artis basket. Michael Young followed with two free throws and Pitt seemed to be in control up eight.