NEW YORK - Pittsburgh continues its quest for a second straight Big East tournament title as it takes on Boston College in the semifinals at 7:30 p.m. today at Madison Square Garden.

The top-seeded Panthers (28-3) breezed past eighth-seeded Virginia Tech 74-61 in Thursday's quarterfinals. The win was the 10th in the last 12 conference tournament games for Pittsburgh, a run that includes three straight championship game appearances and the Panthers' first-ever title last season.

Jaron Brown scored 20 points for the Panthers, who are wary of the fifth-seeded Eagles (23-8) after Boston College's 57-54 upset of No. 19 Syracuse on Thursday.

"We just prepare for every team," Pittsburgh guard Julius Page said. "I mean, any team can lose on any night, and we know we can get knocked off if we come out sluggish."

Pittsburgh, which entered the tournament with the fourth-best defense in the nation, scored 23 points off 17 Virginia Tech turnovers.

"(Our defense) has been doing it all year," said Page, "We feel like no one in the country can stop us."

Pittsburgh beat Boston College 68-58 Jan. 28, improving to 27-17 in the all-time series. The Panthers have won the last five meetings from the Eagles.

Boston College got past the defending national champion Orangemen despite trailing by as many as 11 points. With seven straight victories, the Eagles have already secured an NCAA tournament berth.

"I think we're peaking at the right time," freshman forward Jared Dudley said. "We're just getting stronger right now."

The Eagles prevailed despite a rough shooting night, missing all nine of their 3-point attempts, by outrebounding Syracuse 41-27.

Boston College improved to 2-4 against ranked teams this season, its other win coming against No. 20 Providence March 2.