Milwaukee, WI (Sports Network) - Jordan Crawford posted 27 points and sixth- seeded Xavier survived two game-tying three-point attempts in the closing seconds to come away with a slim 71-68 victory over third-seeded Pittsburgh in a second-round matchup out of the West Region.
Jason Love added 14 points and eight rebounds, and Terrell Holloway chipped in 13 points for the Musketeers (26-8), who lost to Pitt in the regional semifinals of the 2009 NCAA Tournament.
Xavier has now reached the Sweet 16 in each of the past three seasons and will next face second-seeded Kansas State in Salt Lake City on Thursday.
Brad Wanamaker scored 16 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and handed out five assists for the Panthers (25-9), who were vying for their sixth Sweet 16 appearance in the last nine seasons.
Ashton Gibbs scored 18 of his 19 points in the opening 20 minutes, as Pittsburgh never led following Xavier's 16-0 first-half run.
Gilbert Brown had 14 points, including a trio of three-pointers in the final two minutes that gave the Panthers a shot at pulling off a comeback victory.
His last three cut the deficit to 69-66 with 16.9 seconds left, and it appeared Xavier threw the inbounds pass away. The initial ruling was Pitt ball, but another official came in and overturned the call.
Holloway then put in two free throws with 14.3 seconds showing and Travon Woodall put in a quick two for Pitt to make it a one-possession game again.
Dante Jackson followed with two misses from the foul line to give the Panthers a chance to tie. Gibbs had the first attempt at sending the game into overtime but was off the mark on his try from the right wing.
Xavier knocked the ball out of bounds, and with four tenths of a second showing, Pitt inbounded to Wanamaker, who was short on his quick release from the left side.
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