PITTSBURGH—Chris Taft scored a career-high 25 points and pulled down a season-high 15 rebounds and Carl Kraused scored 19 points and dished out nine assists in leading No. 16 Pittsburgh to a 86-66 win against Providence Monday at the Petersen Events Center. Pitt improved to 5-2 in the Big East and 15-3 overall. Providence dropped to 0-7 in the Big East and 9-11 overall.

Taft led the way, notching his ninth career and third double-double of the season with his 25 points and 15 rebounds. Most of Taft’s baskets came via passes from Carl Krauser who had nine assists for the second straight game to go along with 19 points.

The Panthers made sure they didn’t need to make a third consecutive comeback early, as Pitt scored the first five points of the game. The Panthers never went on a big run within the first 20 minutes, but gradually increased their lead throughout the first half.

Chevon Troutman also got into the assist mode Monday night as he had five assists to go along with 14 points, including a layup which put the Panthers up by 10 late in the half.

With the Friars in foul trouble most of the first half, the Panthers found themselves on the free throw line 15 times in the opening half. Ronald Ramon stepped to the line six times and hit all six attempts. He finished with nine points. The Panthers finished the game shooting 88 percent from the line. Pitt took a 43-34 lead into the locker room at halftime, and came back out onto the court on fire. The Panthers opened up a 17-point lead with 10 minutes remaining.

With less then eight minutes to go, Pitt put the game away. While falling out of bounds, Krauser threw the ball straight up in the air. Pitt came down with the ball, and after a missed layup, Taft cleaned the boards with a dunk to send the crowd of 11,685 home happy.

Pitt hits the road Saturday in the basketball edition of the “Backyard Brawl” The Panthers and West Virginia will play at 6 p.m. Saturday night and the game can be seen on FSN.

GAME NOTES

*Pittsburgh won its fourth consecutive contest against Providence and fifth in the last six meetings.

*Chris Taft scored a career-high 25 points and pulled down a season-high 15 rebounds. It was his ninth career double-double and third of the season.

*Carl Krauser tied a career-high with nine assists.

*Pittsburgh has now won five of its last six games.

*Pittsburgh has held each of its seven Big East opponents under 70 points.

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