NEW YORK -- For the second consecutive season Pitt is one-and-done at the Big East tournament.

No. 7 seed Notre Dame knocked No. 2 seed out, 50-45, tonight in a quarterfinal round game at Madison Square Garden. Pitt also was eliminated from the conference tournament last season as the No. 2 seed.

Five days after scoring 83 points in the regular-season finale against Rutgers, the Panthers were held to their lowest point output of the season.

Notre Dame led 32-29 at halftime. In the second half, both teams combined for 11 field goals. Each team had one field goal apiece in the final 5:31.

Pitt had a chance to tie the score with 40 seocnds left, but Brad Wanamaker missed a layup. The Panthers got the ball back after tying up the Irish, but Jermaine Dixon missed badly on his shot attempt.

Pitt fouled Luke Harangody, who made two free throws to give the Irish a four-point lead with 15.9 seconds remaining.

Wanamaker led Pitt with 16 points.

Notre Dame had never been accused of playing good defense under coach Mike Brey, but the Irish have now held five of their past six opponents to 54 points or fewer.

The Panthers became the third team with a double bye in the tournament to lose today. No. 1 Syracuse lost to No. 8 seed Georgetown and No. 4 seed Villanova lost to No. 5 seed Marquette earlier in the day. No. 3 seed West Virginia plays No. 11 seed Cincinnati in the nightcap.

Pitt will now wait until Sunday to see which team it will play in the NCAA tournament. The Panthers are expected to be a No. 3 or 4 seed in the NCAA tournament.

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