The Huskies knew that going cross-country and facing a top-ranked opponent, No. 5 Pittsburgh, was going to be a tall task, especially with their season-long futility on the road.

For 40 minutes on Saturday, Washington did what it had not all season — hung with a ranked opponent on the road. After getting blown out in its first four such experiences, the team had a chance to beat the Panthers late in the game and grab a quality road win. Despite not scoring a field goal in the last 2:45, the Panthers made key free throws down the stretch and pulled out the win, 65-61.

“I think they’re right there with the best teams in the country,” coach Lorenzo Romar told the Associated Press. “They’re not atop the Big East for nothing. They’re very physical.”

That did not stop the Huskies from outplaying Pitt in almost every aspect. The physical play of sophomore Jon Brockman and freshman Spencer Hawes was largely responsible for keeping Pittsburgh’s big man Aaron Gray from hurting the Huskies. The 7-foot senior scored just five points.

Hawes, also in the national spotlight, came through for the Huskies, amassing a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Brockman led Washington with 13 points and added nine rebounds, despite missing the last 6:52 of the first half due to foul trouble.

With Brockman absent from the lineup, the Panthers were able to overcome a five-point Washington lead with a 14-3 run. Led by Levance Fields’ seven points during that span, the Panthers were able to take a six-point lead.

Hans Gasser — in for Brockman — was able to keep Washington close, scoring all of his five points in the final 1:17 of the half. The result was a swing of eight points, leaving the Panthers up 31-28 at the half.

Pitt’s Mike Cook continued his hot shooting in the second half, scoring seven of his game-high 15. His final point came on the free throw that put the game out of reach 65-61. Fields was second on the team with 14 points, which helped Pittsburgh overcome the lack of production from its star.

“When your star isn’t scoring, somebody else has to step up,” Pitt coach Jamie Dixon told the AP. “We’re fortunate to have a lot of guys who can score.”

One of those players was reserve Ronald Ramon, who scored nine clutch points for the Panthers down the stretch. With the game tied at 47-47, Ramon made his most important shot of the night.

With the shot clock nearing zero and Ramon well behind the 3-point line, the junior hoisted a shot that would have been a 3-pointer even from NBA range and lifted the Panthers over Washington 50-47. They would not relinquish the lead.

The Huskies, despite the loss, shot better from the field (42.9 percent to 36.2 percent) and out-rebounded (39-28) Pittsburgh. Their downfall, though, was a problem that has plagued them all season — turnovers.

Washington turned the ball over 15 times to the Panthers’ six, allowing Pittsburgh to stay in front despite its difficulties shooting the ball.

Reach reporter Justin Chartrey at sports@thedaily.washington.edu.