PITTSBURGH — Buzz Williams has a theory on why Marquette plays so many close games.

“We’re not very good,” the coach said with a shrug.

Maybe, but the Golden Eagles aren’t bad either. Especially when things get tight.

Vander Blue scored 22 points and Marquette overcame a dramatic game-tying 3-pointer at the end of regulation by Pittsburgh’s Lamar Patterson to win 74-67 in overtime on Saturday and remain unbeaten in the Big East.

“I think it just sums up what we’ve been doing all year,” Blue said. “I’m sure a lot of people didn’t have us winning ... we just wanted to make sure wherever we go, we do what we do.”

What Marquette (12-3, 3-0) is doing at the moment is finding a way to deliver with the game on the line. The Golden Eagles went on a quick 8-2 burst to take control of the extra period and Pitt never got within six the rest of the way.

“We wanted to make sure we started off overtime delivering the first blow,” Blue said. “It was a whole new game. It was 0-0. Once we hit the first bucket and the first stop, we feel like we’re OK.”

Davante Gardner made all six of his shots from the floor while adding 13 points and grabbing eight rebounds for Marquette, which is unbeaten through three conference games for the first time in four years.

Lamar Patterson led Pitt (13-4, 1-3) with a career-high 22 points, including his 3-pointer from the top of the key as the clock expired. Williams said he didn’t consider ordering his players to foul when the ball was inbounded, then added his players looked like “clowns” when the shot dropped through the net.

The Petersen Events Center erupted as Patterson celebrated at halfcourt, emphatically punching the ground.

It didn’t stop the Golden Eagles, however, from delivering the knockout as the Panthers fell to 0-4 in games decided by nine points or less.

“We need to grow up quickly and figure out a way to get it done,” Pitt coach Jamie Dixon said.

The Panthers may have to do it — at least in the short-term — without senior guard Tray Woodall. The team captain left the game early in the first half with a head injury after colliding with Marquette’s Derrick Wilson during a scramble for a loose ball.