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Final Score: Pittsburgh 53 - Notre Dame 68

South Bend, IN (Sports Network) - Tim Abromaitis posted 17 points and five rebounds, and Ben Hansbrough added 15 and nine, as Notre Dame used a terrific showing from three-point range to snap 12th-ranked Pittsburgh's five game- winning streak with a convincing 68-53 decision at the Joyce Center.

The Fighting Irish (18-10, 7-8 Big East), in dire need of another signature win to boost their bleak NCAA tournament hopes, made 10-of-18 from long range to emphatically halt a three-game skid.

Notre Dame was still without leading scorer and rebounder Luke Harangody (knee), but Tory Jackson was able to orchestrate a balanced attack with 14 points and seven assists. Tyrone Nash chipped in 13 points and seven boards, as the Irish surprisingly won the battle of the glass, 34-25.

The Panthers (21-7, 10-5) were mired in a 1-4 slump play before their recent stretch had them sitting in sole possession of third place in the conference.

They couldn't sustain that momentum Wednesday, hitting just 4-of-18 from behind the arc and benefiting from only a pair of double-digit scorers in Jermaine Dixon (13 points) and Ashton Gibbs (11).

"We didn't play good defense," Dixon admitted. "We let them get a lot of open looks from three. When they did miss one, they got the offensive rebound. They definitely outworked us."

The Irish, who had a week to prepare following a 91-89 double-overtime loss at Louisville last Wednesday night, led by eight at the break and quickly made it double digits on a Nash jumper and Carleton Scott three-pointer.

Brad Wanamaker followed with a jumper to make it a 40-29 game, but the bucket was Pitt's only successful field goal in the first six-plus minutes of the second half.

Scott made another one from behind the arc, Hansbrough converted a three-point play off a reserve layup and Abromaitis drained a three from the right corner, giving the hosts a comfortable 52-30 lead with 14 minutes remaining.

The margin didn't dip below 20 until there was six minutes left in the game, and the Irish cruised to the much-needed win.

Four early three-pointers gave Notre Dame a little breathing room in the opening half, and an Abromaitis slam produced a 22-12 lead near the midway point.

"We really emphasized coming out with a lot of energy," Abromaitis said. "We came out ready to play today. We had prepared for them well, and I think we were really efficient on offense all the time."

The Panthers cut their deficit to as little as four, but Jackson beat the halftime buzzer with a 12-footer for a 35-27 cushion.