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PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- Seton Hall's nine-game winning streak was no match for Pittsburgh's 21-game home winning streak.

Julius Page scored 16 points and Ontario Lett added 15 as the seventh-ranked Panthers clinched a first-round bye in the Big East Conference tournament with an 86-54 rout of Seton Hall.

Seton Hall (16-10, 10-5 Big East West) was riding its longest winning streak since a 12-game run during the 1992-93 campaign. But the Pirates suffered their worst loss of the season and left hoping the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee does not hold the dismal performance against them.

"We won nine extraordinary games in a row," Seton Hall coach Louis Orr said. "We just have to shake this off."

Pittsburgh (22-4, 12-3) moved into a tie for first place in the West division with Syracuse and earned at least the No. 2 seed for the Big East tournament. The Panthers finished their first season in the new Petersen Events Center with a 16-0 home mark.

"What a perfect win and a great atmosphere," Panthers coach Ben Howland said. "The crowd is what makes this place special. This is the toughest place to play in the country."

Donatas Zavackas and Page hit back-to-back 3-pointers to trigger a 14-0 tear in the first half that gave Pittsburgh the lead for good. A free throw by Chevy Troutman capped the run and opened a 24-10 advantage with 9:14 left in the first half.

The Panthers took a 40-24 cushion into halftime and opened the second half with a 14-3 tear to blunt any hopes of a comeback. The Pirates got no closer than within 56-40 on a 3-pointer by John Allen with 10:45 remaining.

Pitt ran off the next eight points and Brandin Knight converted a three-point play off a nice feed from Page to cap it for a 64-40 cushion with 8:27 to go.

Freshman Carl Krauser scored 13 points for the Panthers, who gained revenge for a 73-61 loss at Seton Hall on February 15. The Pirates shot just under 39 percent (21-of-54).

"We played really well this game and I think that we were trying to make a statement about the first game," Howland said. "We worked out the wrinkles defensively."

The loss ensured Seton Hall of the third seed in the Big East tournament out of the West. The Pirates had not lost since a 74-70 defeat to Manhattan on January 27.

"The team and I were embarrassed by this loss," Orr said. "This game is over and we have to let it go and move on."

Zavackas and Jaron Brown each scored 11 points and Knight, a New Jersey native, handed out 10 assists for Pitt. Knight, Zavackas and Lett were all honored as part of Senior Day festivities and Knight had his parents in attendance, including his mother, Brenda, who is employed by Seton Hall.

After the game, Knight shared a warm embrace with Seton Hall forward Marcus Toney-El, his former high school teammate.

"He went from winning three state championships in high school to coming here," Howland said. "It all started with him. We recruit tough, unselfish kids. Brandin himself is tough and unselfish and it is infectious."

Zavackas made all three 3-point attempts as Pitt was efficient from beyond the arc, making 7-of-10 shots. The Panthers shot a blistering 61 percent in each half, making 34-of-56 shots overall.

The Panthers dominated in points in the paint with a 38-22 edge and finished with 23 assists on 34 baskets. Pitt registered 13 steals and forced 21 turnovers, converting them into 30 points.

Knight won his head-to-head battle with Seton Hall point guard Andre Barrett, who made 4-of-14 shots for 11 points and only four assists. Barrett's backcourt mate, Allen, struggled for the second straight game and scored 11 points on 4-of-10 shooting.