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Pittsburgh aims to bounce back against struggling Notre Dame

Jan 31, 2009 - 11:22 AM No. 22 Notre Dame (12-7) at No. 3 Pittsburgh (18-2), 12:00 p.m. EST

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- The Petersen Events Center seems to be the ideal place for Pittsburgh to rebound from a loss. Playing against a struggling team also can not hurt.

The third-ranked Panthers look to hand No. 22 Notre Dame its fifth straight loss on Saturday.

Pittsburgh (18-2, 6-2 Big East) lost for the second time in four games, a 67-57 setback at Villanova on Wednesday.

Sam Young scored 14 points but DeJuan Blair, who only played 20 minutes due to foul trouble, was held to seven points and eight rebounds. Blair had collected 10 or more rebounds in six straight games.

Young is averaging 18.6 points to lead the Panthers, who are 12-0 at home this season.

Finishing up a brutal stretch, the Fighting Irish (12-7, 3-5) are desperate for a victory.

Notre Dame has lost at Louisville, at Syracuse and at home to Connecticut and Marquette - all of which are currently or once were ranked in the top 10.

Luke Harangody is averaging 25 points and 13.3 rebounds to lead the Fighting Irish, but the reigning Big East Player of the Year has not had much help lately.

Kyle McAlarney, who is second on the team in scoring at 16.3 per contest, has notched nine points in consecutive games. The senior sharpshooter is 6-of-27 from the floor over his last two contests.