Notre Dame shot 72 percent in the second half and extended its home winning streak to 28 games by pulling away for a surprising 72-59 victory over No. 22 Pittsburgh in the Big East opener for both teams.

The Fighting Irish (9-5, 1-0) led by just four, 44-40, before taking control with a 15-4 run midway through the second half. Notre Dame — which hit 18 of 25 field-goal attempts after the intermission — capped the surge with three consecutive 3-pointers, including two by Jerian Grant, to stretch its lead to 15 with 6:44 remaining.

Alex Dragicevich hit four 3-pointers en route to a game-high 22 points for Notre Dame, while Grant and Eric Atkins added 15 points apiece. The Fighting Irish, who have not lost at Purcell Pavilion since Feb. 14, 2010, finished with just six turnovers.

Talib Zanna scored 13 points to lead the Panthers (11-3, 0-1), who outrebounded Notre Dame by a 39-30 margin but made just one of 14 shots from beyond the arc. Pittsburgh point guard Tray Woodall, who had missed the last month with groin and abdomen injuries, played 18 scoreless minutes off the bench in his return.