Casper Ware had a career-high 28 points and visiting Long Beach State became only the second non-conference opponent to beat Pittsburgh at the Petersen Events Center with a stunning 86-76 victory over the No. 9 Panthers on Wednesday.

James Ennis added 19 points, Larry Anderson had 12 and T.J. Robinson 11 for the 49ers (2-0).

Pittsburgh last lost a non-conference game at Petersen to Bucknell in January 2005, a streak of 58 games.

The Panthers (2-1) escaped an upset bid against Rider on Sunday, but simply couldn't overcome an experienced 49ers squad that includes four senior starters, three of which are preseason All-Big West selections.

Big East Preseason Player of the Year Ashton Gibbs delivered 13 of his 20 points in the second half and Nasir Robinson added 19 for the Panthers, who closed to within six points late but could not faze the 49ers.

Long Beach grabbed the lead at 16-14 with 12:39 to play in the first half and didn't relinquish it en route to a 45-36 halftime advantage.

The 45 points, aided by 18-for-27 shooting, equaled Rider's output Sunday in Pittsburgh's 86-78 victory as the second most for a half that Pitt has allowed at the Petersen Events Center.

A three-point play by Ware pushed the margin to 52-39, Long Beach's biggest lead.

The 49ers, favored to win the Big West after taking the regular-season crown last year, figure to be among the best mid-majors and will have several more chances to show the rest of the country. The Panthers are part of Long Beach's brutal non-conference schedule that continues Saturday at San Diego State and also includes No. 1 North Carolina, No. 7 Louisville, No. 11 Kansas and No. 14 Xavier.

It was Long Beach State's first win over a top 10 team since January 1993, when it beat Kansas 64-49.

Pittsburgh is 86-2 against non-conference foes at the Petersen Events Center, which opened for the 2002-03 season.