Matt Freed, Post-Gazette Carl Krauser celebrates after defeating West Virginia in the second round of the Big East tournament last night in New York at Madison Square Garden. Click photo for larger image. Today Big East tournament semifinals: 7 p.m.: Syracuse vs. Georgetown 9:30 p.m.: Pitt vs. Villanova TV: ESPN Related Articles Big East Tournament Notebook: Kendall out with back spasms Smizik: A complete game could be special

NEW YORK -- Pitt coach Jamie Dixon made up his mind in August that the Panthers were not going to use youth as an excuse this season. Last night, two of his heralded freshmen stepped into the lineup and played huge roles as Pitt advanced to the semifinal round of the Big East tournament.

Freshmen Sam Young and Levance Fields shined through under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden and led the Panthers past West Virginia, 68-57, to advance to the semifinal round for the fifth time in the past six seasons. The Panthers (23-7) will play Villanova (24-3) tonight. The Wildcats beat Rutgers yesterday.

Young started in place of injured power forward Levon Kendall and had 14 points and 11 rebounds. Fields had 10 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. He started the second half and was part of a three-guard, lightning-quick lineup that enabled Pitt to overcome a 12-point first-half deficit.

"Sam played well against West Virginia the previous two games," Dixon said. "He finished well in the second half. He got great passes from Aaron a couple of times. He's just a freshman playing against seniors. That's why he's getting better."

Young was 7 for 8 from the field and kept the Panthers in the game early when West Virginia built its double-digit first-half lead. Young and junior center Aaron Gray dominated the middle for Pitt. Gray had 19 points and 15 rebounds, and the Panthers held a 44-25 rebounding edge, including 18 offensive rebounds.

"Their quickness and offensive rebounding was the difference," West Virginia coach John Beilein said.

Pitt trailed, 31-24, at halftime, but Dixon made a couple of key adjustments at the intermission that got Pitt back into the game. He started Fields in place of Keith Benjamin at the start of the half to get a quicker lineup on the floor, and he told Gray to stay close to the basket on the offensive end.

"It's not a surprise," Dixon said. "We've done it often. It's a good look for us. West Virginia is smaller and perimeter-oriented. We've played with it a lot. It worked well tonight."

After using the same starting lineup for most of the season, Dixon has had to juggle his rotation during the Big East tournament. Wednesday, he benched senior John DeGroat for Benjamin. Last night, he had to adjust without Kendall, Pitt's best defender and an underrated ingredient in Pitt's success.

Kendall had back spasms all day yesterday and could not walk most of the day. Dixon said he is not expected to play tonight against Villanova.

West Virginia also had to deal with the injury bug. Senior Mike Gansey, an all-Big East player, was injured midway through the second half diving for a loose ball and did not return because of abdominal pains.

With Gansey out, Pitt took control.

The Panthers scored eight consecutive points to take the lead, 40-38, after a Tyrell Biggs offensive rebound and putback with 12:33 remaining. The Panthers held West Virginia scoreless for more than four minutes.

The game went back and forth with neither team holding more than a 3-point lead until Gray scored to give Pitt a 55-51 advantage with 4:28 remaining. Ronald Ramon scored on a layup with 2:39 left for a 57-51 edge.

Kevin Pittsnogle, who led the Mountaineers with 22 points, drew West Virginia to within three points, 57-54, on one of his five 3-pointers with 1:35 to play.

Carl Krauser made two free throws with 1:21 remaining to boost the lead to 59-54. Patrick Beilein made a 3-pointer on West Virginia's next possession to make it 59-57 with 1:09 to go. Krauser made two free throws with 1:07 left for a 61-57 Pitt edge.

West Virginia missed a shot on its next possession, and Gray made two free throws for a 63-57 lead. J.D. Collins missed a shot at the other end, and Krauser was fouled. He made one free throw to put the game away.

The Mountaineers shot 34 percent from the field for the game, 32 percent in the second half.

"Pitt has a terrific defensive team," West Virginia's coach said.

"I admire the way they play, how hard they play, how smart they play defensively. We're probably the only No. 3 seed in the country that played a team that was a No. 6 seed that was higher rated than us in the nation.

"It wasn't like we came in here and lost to a cupcake. This was a heck of a team we just lost to. There's a reason why they're ranked ahead of us in both the RPI and the rankings."

Pitt and Villanova will be meeting for the first time this season. The Wildcats were one of two Big East teams Pitt didn't play in the regular season.

Villanova, ranked No. 2 in the polls, plays a four-guard lineup and is led by Big East player of the year Randy Foye.

"It's just another challenge," Gray said. "A lot of people didn't think we'd be where we're at. A lot of people were criticizing us because of the way we finished the season.

"They thought we would come here and be one and done against Louisville. That just goes to show you how tough this team is, how much we believe in one another. As long as we keep that mind-set, this team can go very far."