Hartford - Traditionally, rebounding is the key statistic in this rivalry between the Big East Conference's ultimate fighters.That was the case again Wednesday.

That was the case again Wednesday.No. 16 Pittsburgh won the battle of the boards against No. 15 UConn, 40-31, while securing its third straight conference road victory, 67-57.

No. 16 Pittsburgh won the battle of the boards against No. 15 UConn, 40-31, while securing its third straight conference road victory, 67-57. It was the fifth time this season that the Huskies have been outrebounded. That happened only twice last season.

It was the fifth time this season that the Huskies have been outrebounded. That happened only twice last season."We got beaten on the backboards miserably in the second half," UConn coach Jim Calhoun said. "We don't have an excuse for it."

"We got beaten on the backboards miserably in the second half," UConn coach Jim Calhoun said. "We don't have an excuse for it."The Huskies owned the rebounding edge in the first half by an 18-14 margin. The Panthers dominated the second half, 26-13.

The Huskies owned the rebounding edge in the first half by an 18-14 margin. The Panthers dominated the second half, 26-13."We said (at halftime) that we had to get that changed and turned around," Pitt coach Jamie Dixon said. "That was the difference in the game."

"We said (at halftime) that we had to get that changed and turned around," Pitt coach Jamie Dixon said. "That was the difference in the game."Center Gary McGhee led the Panthers with nine rebounds. Guard Jermaine Dixon added six. Pitt scored 10 points off of 19 offensive rebounds.

Center Gary McGhee led the Panthers with nine rebounds. Guard Jermaine Dixon added six. Pitt scored 10 points off of 19 offensive rebounds.Pittsburgh won for the third straight time in the series. It also held the rebounding edge in both victories last season.

Pittsburgh won for the third straight time in the series. It also held the rebounding edge in both victories last season."That's what the Big East is about - out-toughing other teams," Pitt junior Brad Wanamaker said. "In the second half, we did that. We outrebounded them."

"That's what the Big East is about - out-toughing other teams," Pitt junior Brad Wanamaker said. "In the second half, we did that. We outrebounded them."UConn's starting frontcourt of Ater Majok, Alex Oriakhi and Stanley Robinson combined for just 12 rebounds. Oriakhi had all nine of his rebounds in the first half while Robinson had a season-low two.

UConn's starting frontcourt of Ater Majok, Alex Oriakhi and Stanley Robinson combined for just 12 rebounds. Oriakhi had all nine of his rebounds in the first half while Robinson had a season-low two."For Stanley Robinson to get two rebounds in a game is almost bewildering to me," Calhoun said.

"For Stanley Robinson to get two rebounds in a game is almost bewildering to me," Calhoun said.Robinson hits milestone

Robinson hits milestone• Robinson, a senior, became the 44th member of UConn's 1,000-career-point club in the first half when he converted a tough baseline drive with 10 minutes, 50 seconds remaining.

• Robinson, a senior, became the 44th member of UConn's 1,000-career-point club in the first half when he converted a tough baseline drive with 10 minutes, 50 seconds remaining.For the second straight game, Robinson had a productive first half, scoring 13 points. But he disappeared for long stretches after intermission, scoring just five points and taking only seven shots.

For the second straight game, Robinson had a productive first half, scoring 13 points. But he disappeared for long stretches after intermission, scoring just five points and taking only seven shots."I've got to start staying more focused," Robinson said.

"I've got to start staying more focused," Robinson said.Robinson, who had 19 points, reached double figures for the 22nd straight game dating back to last season.

Robinson, who had 19 points, reached double figures for the 22nd straight game dating back to last season.News and notes

News and notes• UConn fell to 1-5 when scoring fewer than 70 points. The Huskies' point total of 57 represented a season low. Pitt came in ranked first in the Big East in scoring defense at 58 points per game. … It was UConn's first home loss since dropping a 76-68 decision to Pitt last Feb. 16. The Huskies were 10-0 this season at home. … Since 2001-02, the Panthers own the Big East's best overall (234-58) and regular-season conference (100-36) records while UConn is second in both categories - 218-68 and 98-39. … Up next: UConn visits Michigan (8-7) Sunday in a nonconference game in Ann Arbor, Mich. The Wolverines host Indiana tonight.

• UConn fell to 1-5 when scoring fewer than 70 points. The Huskies' point total of 57 represented a season low. Pitt came in ranked first in the Big East in scoring defense at 58 points per game. … It was UConn's first home loss since dropping a 76-68 decision to Pitt last Feb. 16. The Huskies were 10-0 this season at home. … Since 2001-02, the Panthers own the Big East's best overall (234-58) and regular-season conference (100-36) records while UConn is second in both categories - 218-68 and 98-39. … Up next: UConn visits Michigan (8-7) Sunday in a nonconference game in Ann Arbor, Mich. The Wolverines host Indiana tonight.g.keefe@theday.com

g.keefe@theday.com