Pitt Loses To DePaul, 84-81

PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) — Pitt extended its losing streak to four straight games Thursday in an 84-81 loss to DePaul.

It's the longest losing streak for a Jamie Dixon coached team.

Pitt led by two points, 81-79, with eight seconds left and freshman Isiah Epps at the free throw line. However, Epps missed both free throws and DePaul's Brandon Young made a bucket at the other end and was fouled by Ashton Gibbs for an and-one situation.

"They spread us out, got us isolated and beat him on the drive," Dixon said. "I don't want to blame Ashton at this point. You can't focus on just one play in the game."

Young made his free throw and Pitt was unable to score before the clock expired.

"I was surprised he fouled me," Young said. "But I guess he had no choice but to foul me. Either that, or let me lay it up."

Pitt outrebounded DePaul by 18 by turned the ball over 15 times, allowing the Blue Demons to hang around. DePaul hit 10 3-pointers in the second half to help spur a comeback.

Young finished with a game-high 26 points and Cleveland Melvin scored 20 for the Blue Demons.

Talib Zanna led Pitt with 16 points on 8-of-8 shooting. Ashton Gibbs score 13 but shot just 5-of-15 from the field.

"This is a tough loss," Pitt forward Nasir Robinson said. "We played hard, but we just had a couple of turnovers there at the end."