PITTSBURGH — In a contest featuring 10 ties and seven lead changes with no clear momentum shifts, Pittsburgh began to edge away on a Jamel Artis three-point play with 6:23 remaining.

After Georgia Tech’s Robert Sampson and Marcus Georges-Hunt tied the game on back-to-back scores with 6:40 to play, Pitt made its move with a defensive switch. The Panthers allowed just two points in the next five minutes to take control and beat Georgia Tech 70-65 Saturday.

Artis and Cameron Wright led all scorers with 20 points apiece and Michael Young added 16 for Pitt (13-5, 3-2 Atlantic Coast Conference).

Sampson led Georgia Tech (9-8, 0-5) with 16 points, Georges-Hunt scored 13 and Charles Mitchell and Quinton Stephens each had 10.

The defensive effort was a result of an adjustment made by head coach Jamie Dixon as his team switched into a man-to-man defense.

“We got out of that zone,” Dixon said. “I think the zone’s a good changeup for this team but it’s not our defense.”

While zone defenses usually prevent penetration, the Panthers’ man look kept the Yellow Jackets out of the paint where they’re most effective.

“They were not able to get the ball inside as easily and that was big,” Dixon said. “We got some turnovers too.”