No. 11 seed Pittsburgh began the game with a 19–2 run thanks to their stifling defense, and they leaned on the defense once again in the second half to cruise past No. 6 seed Iowa State 59–41 in Friday’s Midwest round of 64 action.
The Panthers, who never trailed, allowed the Cyclones to get back into the game before halftime due to a series of cold shooting possessions, but still took a seven point lead into the break.
Once the second half began, it was all Pittsburgh.
