Pittsburgh, PA (My Sportsbook) - DeJuan Blair scored 23 points, grabbed 15 rebounds and recorded six steals, leading the newly-crowned top-ranked Pittsburgh Panthers to a 90-67 win over St. John's at the Petersen Events Center.

Jermaine Dixon poured in a career-high 17 points for the Panthers (15-0, 3-0 Big East), who played their first game in school history as the nation's No. 1 ranked team and entered Sunday as one of three remaining undefeated clubs (Clemson and Wake Forest).

Levance Fields added 13 points and dished out nine assists in the victory.

D.J. Kennedy had 18 points and seven rebounds for the struggling Red Storm (10-5, 1-2), who have dropped four of their last five games. Sean Evans and Rob Thomas both chipped in 13 points for St. John's.

Pitt looked lethargic at the offensive end early on, showing the effects of an eight-day layoff, while the Red Storm played with tremendous passion and challenged the Panthers, leading 21-17 after a Kennedy deuce with about 9 1/2 minutes remaining in the half.

The clubs continued to go back-and-forth and Sam Young's high-percentage slam gave the Panthers a 41-36 edge at halftime.

Following the break, the Panthers turned it into high gear and took command of the contest on both sides of the ball. Fields and Young drilled consecutive three-pointers to put the home team up 56-42 six minutes into the frame, and Gilbert Brown hit two free throws, extending Pitt's advantage to 20 at 68-48 just past the midway point.

A basket by Brad Wanamaker pushed the lead to 77-54 and the Panthers maintained a healthy cushion the rest of the way.

Game Notes

Young finished with 12 points on 5-of-15 shooting...Pitt has won 12 straight home games and owns a 106-10 all-time record at the Petersen Events Center...The victory vaulted head coach Jamie Dixon (147) into a third-place tie with Paul Evans on Pitt's all-time coaching wins list...The Panthers forced 24 turnovers.