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Blair, Pittsburgh cruise past Houston Baptist

Nov 10, 2007 - 1:59 AM PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- The Pittsburgh Panthers continue to be extremely tough to beat during the early part of the season.

Freshman center DeJuan Blair had 20 points and 14 rebounds as No. 20 Pittsburgh cruised over Houston Baptist, 103-62, in their season opener Friday.

The Panthers have not lost in the opening month of the season since November 25, 2001, at South Florida and have now won 22 straight games in the month of November.

Pittsburgh, which has won its first nine games each of the last five seasons, has now won 11 straight home openers and 21 straight at home over non-conference opponents.

Sam Young added 22 points for the Panthers, who scored the game's first 13 points en route to a 48-21 halftime lead.

Blair had 11 points and eight rebounds in the first half, filling the void left by Aaron Gray, who was a four-year starter that averaged 14.1 points and 9.6 rebounds last season.

A true freshman, Blair played just 20 minutes and shot 9-of-11 from the field while adding four steals.

Baron Sauls scored 13 points for Houston Baptist (1-2), which is back in Division I after spending the last 18 years in the NAIA.