Nov. 17, 2006

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POST-GAME NOTES

*Pitt played its first First Commonwealth Colonial Athletic Association Basketball Classic contest as it defeated Northeastern 78-52. The Panthers play UMass Saturday at 5 p.m. in their second classic contest.

*Aaron Gray registered his 20^th career double-double,  32^nd double figure scoring game as he finished with game highs of 24 points and 14 rebounds. The 24 points were one point shy of his career-high (25 points vs. Notre Dame on Jan. 4, 2006). He also hit 11 of 16 field goals and tied a career-high with his 11 field goals made (11 vs. Notre Dame on Jan. 24, 2006).

*Keith Benjamin finished with a career-high three steals and added 11 points. It was the seventh double figure scoring contest of his career.

*Doyle Hudson played a career-high nine minutes

*The win improves Pitt to 66-6 all-time in the Petersen Events Center and 38-1 vs. non-conference opponents in the five-year old arena.

*Pitt has won 60 of its last 61 home games against regular season non-conference opponents.

*Pitt won its 14^th consecutive non-conference game dating back to the 2004-05 season. It finished 11-0 vs. non-conference opponents last year.

*Pitt and Northeastern met for the first time in men's basketball. The Panthers improved to 11-9 all-time against members of the Colonial Athletic Association.

*Pitt improved to 59-3 vs. non-conference opponents over the last six seasons.

*Pitt finished with assists on 22 of its 31 field goals.

*For the third consecutive game, Pitt hit at least 50 percent of its field goal attempts. The Panthers finished with 50.8 percent shooting (31-61).

*Pitt outscored Northeastern 38-8 in the paint.