PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh didn't need a miracle to beat Providence, a team that has won once since mid-January. The Panthers did need a game-winning play that was way beyond ordinary.

Ashton Gibbs found a way to make it.

The sophomore guard hit a 3-pointer several strides inside the midcourt line just ahead of the final buzzer and No. 17 Pittsburgh avoided being upset by Providence for the second successive season, rallying to win, 73-71, last night.

"He's one of the best shooters in the country," Pitt coach Jamie Dixon said. "He can make shots. It was just a big-time shot. It was a play we worked on ... they knew how long 3.5 seconds were. He knew how much he could go (before shooting), how far he could go."

The Panthers (23-7, 12-5) secured a double bye in next week's Big East tournament, overcoming sluggish stretches in each half as Gibbs scored 25 points and Jermaine Dixon had a career-high 24.

Jamine Peterson had 24 points and 18 rebounds, but Providence (12-17, 4-13) lost its ninth straight.

Brian McKenzie put the Friars ahead 71-70 by making one of two at the free-throw line with 3.5 seconds to play, but that only set up a closely guarded Gibbs' long game-winner.