Brad Wanamaker scored 19 points and No. 6 Pittsburgh rode a stellar defensive effort to a 61-46 home win over American in its non-conference finale on Wednesday night.

The Panthers (12-1) trailed by two points early before back-to-back three-point plays by Dante Taylor and Gilbert Brown began a 17-2 run midway through the first half that built a 27-14 advantage.

American (7-5) got as close as eight after the intermission, cutting the deficit to 47-39 with 10:40 remaining, but Pitt held the Eagles scoreless over the next 7:28 to put the game away.

Brown added 15 points for the Panthers, who enjoyed a 41-24 rebounding edge and turned the ball over just five times. Vlad Moldoveanu led American with 23 points.

Pittsburgh opens Big East play on Dec. 27 when it hosts No. 4 Connecticut.