The Pittsburgh Panthers survived a valiant comeback effort by Marquette to defeat the Golden Eagles 68-61. Sam Young had a game-high 22 points as the Panthers advance to their seventh Big East Tournament final in eight years.

Pittsburgh was in control from the tip-off, leading by as many as 14 in the first half, and 13 at the intermission. The second half started to look like more of the same, as Young jumper put the Panthers up 16. But, despite getting little production from star guard Dominic James who was only 3-16 from the field, Marquette slowly but surely played their way back into the game. James missed an alley-oop layup but put back his own miss to cut the lead to three with under a minute and a half left. That would be the last field goal for Marquette, however, and Pittsburgh would close the game from the free throw line.

Marquette was led by Jerel McNeal, who scored 17 points despite foul trouble. Lazar Haywood added 10 points and seven rebounds in a losing cause.

The Pittsburgh win sets up a rematch of last year’s Big East Tournament Final, which the Hoyas won 65-42. The final tips off at 9:00 PM.