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Pitt seeks to strengthen hold on first place in Big East

Feb 12, 2007 - 7:42 PM Louisville (17-8) at No. 5 Pittsburgh (22-3) 7:00 pm EST

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- No. 5 Pittsburgh seeks to move closer to winning the Big East Conference regular season crown when it hosts Louisville on Monday.

The Panthers, (22-3 overall, 10-1 Big East) own a 1 1/2-game lead over Georgetown and a three-game advantage over Louisville (17-8, 7-4).

Pittsburgh has won five straight and 12 of its last 13 games.

The Panthers, who play at Georgetown on February 24, come off a 74-68 league victory over Providence on Saturday. Center Aaron Gray got into foul trouble early and sat out the last eight minutes of the first half, but still finished with 22 points. He averages 14.7 points a game.

The Cardinals had lost two straight but defeated South Florida, 83-63, on Saturday. Center Derrick Caracter led Louisville with a season-high 16 points and 10 rebounds.

Brandon Jenkins scored a season-high 15 points, including 4-of-5 from 3-point range.

The Cardinals have four league games left, including a contest at Marquette. Louisville trails Marquette by one game in the Big East.