PITTSBURGH -- Ashton Gibbs scored 24 points, Brad Wanamaker added 17 and No. 5 Pittsburgh opened an 18-point lead midway through the first half while cruising to its second victory in three nights, a 97-54 decision over rebuilding Illinois-Chicago on Wednesday night. The Panthers (2-0) didn't need long to take control in the 2K Sports Classic game against the Flames (0-1), a Horizon League member coming off an 8-22 season. Wanamaker had a driving layup, two pull-up jumpers and a 3-pointer in the opening seven minutes as Pitt opened leads of 9-2, 14-4 and 22-6 against Illinois-Chicago, which was playing its first game under new coach Howard Moore, a former Wisconsin assistant.