WASHINGTON -- Down and almost out after playing their worst half of basketball this season, the Pitt Panthers looked to be on a collision course with their third loss of the season last night against Georgetown at the MCI Center.

	Matt Freed, Post-Gazette Pitt guard Carl Krauser makes an "X" sign for his hometown, the Bronx, after scoring 19 of his career-high 26 points in the second half. Click photo for larger image.

The Panthers were sloppy at both ends of the court and had a hard time solving Georgetown's zone defense. But, when things get tough for the No. 3 Panthers, their point guard and MVP usually makes something happen.

Last night was no different as sophomore Carl Krauser led a charge midway through the second half that erased an eight-point deficit and turned the tables in a 68-58 victory before 11,876 fans, about half of them Pitt fans who had made the four-hour drive south.

Krauser scored 19 of his 26 points -- a career high -- in the second half and had nine in a 2:40 stretch. What was a 39-31 deficit became a 41-40 lead, Pitt's first lead of the game. It was the start of a 19-2 run for the Panthers that put the game out of reach.

"I felt like we were down and I needed to get some points and make some plays," Krauser said.

When he stepped to the free-throw line with 12 seconds remaining, the Pitt contingent chanted "Let's go Pitt" making it seem like a game at the Petersen Events Center. After making his first attempt, Krauser waved the cheering fans on for more, and the crowd grew louder.

"It was tremendous," Pitt coach Jamie Dixon said. "It was something to see. Our following keeps growing and growing."

Pitt (25-2, 11-2) stayed on course for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament and won for seventh time in its past eight games. Georgetown (13-11, 4-9) lost its fifth consecutive game.

	Matt Freed, Post-Gazette Carl Krauser and Mark McCarroll block a second half shot by Georgetown's Ashanti Cook. Click photo for larger image.

Georgetown was held without a point for almost eight minutes in the key stretch and went almost nine minutes without a field goal. The Hoyas failed to score 60 points for fourth consecutive game.

"Our defense really stepped it up," Dixon said.

Pitt led by 11 with 2:27 to play after Krauser made two free throws, but the Hoyas went on an 8-2 run in one minute to make it 56-51 with 1:27 to go. The Panthers closed the game by making most of their free throws down the stretch. They were 10 for 12 from the line over the final 1:26.

Pitt overcame 23 turnovers to pull out the victory. The Panthers had 14 in the first half and looked to be sleepwalking through the first 20 minutes. That's two more than their season average for entire games.

Late in the first half, they turned it over seven times in 10 possessions in the final six minutes.

The 20 points scored in the first half was the Panthers' lowest total in the first half this season, and the 13-point deficit tied for the largest these Panthers have faced. "Our expectations are so high," Dixon said. "People expect perfection. It's all about responding and adjusting, and that's what we did tonight."

	Matt Freed, Post-Gazette Freshman Chris Taft dunks during Pitt's 48-point second half. Click photo for larger image.

Pitt had a difficult time figuring out Georgetown's zone defense and shot 1 for 9 from 3-point range in the first half. In the second half, the Panthers made 3 of 6, with Krauser nailing two and Mark McCarroll one.

Dixon credited junior reserve Yuri Demtris with finally solving Georgetown's defense. He said Demetris made a couple of key passes to the post that yielded some easy baskets for Chris Taft and Chevy Troutman.

Taft had a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. He scored nine of his 12 points in the second half. And that finally opened it up for the outside shooters.

"The big key was Yuri in the second half," Dixon said. "He really broke open the defense with those three assists. Once you get inside, that breaks down the zone defense. I thought he was the key player down the stretch."

Senior guard Gerald Riley led the Hoyas with 25 points.

NOTES -- Pitt has won five games in a row against Georgetown and six of the past seven in the series. ... Pitt outrebounded Georgetown, 40-20. ... Senior guard Julius Page was 0 for 7 from the field and finished with four points. ... Krauser had 9 turnovers, 9 rebounds and 3 assists. ... Pitt was 12 for 20 from the field in the second half. ... Georgetown has one victory this season against a team with a winning record. That team is Rutgers.