Pitt's Ashton Gibbs, right, watches as he hits a 3-pointer over Eastern Kentucky's Antonio Gilkey, left, and Josh Taylor in the second half of the Panthers' 71-60 home victory Thursday.

PITTSBURGH — Ashton Gibbs scored 20 points and Pittsburgh began pulling away by holding Eastern Kentucky scoreless for more than eight minutes during a 71-60 victory on Thursday night, the Panthers' 24th in a row at home.

Gibbs, who scored 22 against Binghamton Tuesday, had seven points during a 13-0 run that began with 6:57 remaining in the first half and ended with Pitt leading 41-24.

The Panthers (3-0) rarely allowed the Colonels (1-1) more than one shot on a possession, doubling them in rebounds most of the game before finishing with a 47-25 advantage.

Justin Stommes scored 24 for Eastern Kentucky, which played its first game against a major college opponent this season.