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12/31/2007 3:32 AM

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By Mike Kovak, Staff writer

mkovak@observer-reporter.com

Less than two weeks ago, the Pitt men's basketball team was riding the high of a last-second, come-from-behind victory over Duke at Madison Square Garden.

Now, with Big East play just a week away, the Panthers hope to salvage a season after suffering three significant losses.

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Junior point guard Levance Fields, whose three-pointer with less than five seconds remaining in overtime helped Pitt beat Duke, will miss the next eight to 12 weeks because of a fractured fifth metatarsal in his left foot. The injury occurred during the second half of the Panthers' 80-55 loss at Dayton. It was Pitt's worst loss in more than eight years.

Fields will undergo surgery today at the UPMC South Side Hospital.

"We're extremely disappoint for Levance," Pitt coach Jamie Dixon said. "Levance has been a leader for us both on and off the floor. We expect him to make a full recovery and return sometime later in the season."

A two-year starter, Fields suffered the injury after a drive to the basket where he drew contact with a Dayton player. No foul was called and as Fields backpedaled toward the end line it is believed he slipped on the foot of a Dayton cheerleader or a pom-pom.

Fields is averaging 11.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists for No. 6 Pitt (11-1), which next plays Wednesday, Jan. 2 against Lafayette at Petersen Events Center.

It's the second significant injury suffered by a Pitt starter during the last two games.

Senior Mike Cook, who had made 48 consecutive starts for the Panthers, tore his ACL during the overtime against Duke. He will miss the rest of the season.

Additionally, redshirt freshman Austin Wallace fractured a patella during a practice before Pitt's win at Washington on Dec. 8.

Without the three, Pitt is down to nine scholarship players, including senior Ronald Ramon, who is dealing with shoulder and right ankle injuries.

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