Pitt closed a 10-point halftime deficit to three, but an 8-0 run broke the game open and pushed second-ranked UVA to a 61-49 win in ACC action in Charlottesville, Va., on Monday.
Virginia (24-1, 12-1 ACC) led 25-15 at the half against the Panthers, who had shot 65 percent from the field in an 89-76 win over #15 UNC two days ago, but shot just 35.3 percent in the first half and went through two stretches of five-plus minutes without a point.
But Pitt got untracked in the early going in the second half, just as UVA was going ice cold, hitting just three of its first 11 from the field, and a Cameron Wright free throw with 7:54 to go cut the deficit to three, at 36-33.
The Cavs found their offensive rhythm at the right moment, getting scores on six of their next eight possessions, with London Perrantes keying the run with penetration into the lane.
A Perrantes drive and layup made it 41-33 UVA with 5:30 left, and then then the sophomore point guard found freshman Marial Shayok open for a look from three that pushed the lead to 44-33 with 4:15 left.
Pitt (17-10, 6-7 ACC) twice cut the margin to seven in the final minutes, but could get no closer, as Virginia went 11-of-14 from the free-throw line in the final 3:31 to seal it.
Virginia shot 42.6 percent from the field (20-of-47) and was 5-of-13 from three-point range (38.5 percent), after coming in having shot a combined 4-of-23 from three in its past two games, both played without second-leading scorer Justin Anderson, out for four weeks with a broken finger.
Pitt shot 38.6 percent from the field (17-of-44) and was 6-of-16 from three-point range (37.5 percent).
Malcolm Brogdon scored 18 points to lead the Cavs, shooting 5-of-10 from the field, 2-of-2 from three-point range and 6-of-6 from the line. Anthony Gill had 12 points and six rebounds, and Perrantes had 10 points and six assists.
Jamel Artis had a game-high 20 for Pitt.
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