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Friday, March 28, 2003

By Gerry Dulac, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

MINNEAPOLIS -- Forward Donatas Zavackas did not play the final eight minutes of Pitt's 77-74 loss to Marquette in the NCAA Midwest Region after he was seen arguing with Coach Ben Howland on the bench.

Afterward, Howland said Zavackas was "pouting" because he came out of the game with a little less than eight minutes remaining and Pitt trailing, 64-54. In an act of defiance, Zavackas even took his shoes off while he was sitting on the bench.

"He went over and pouted because I took him out of the game," Howland said. "He's very emotional. That's one of the things that makes him a good player. But I'm not going to play that game. I said, I'm not going to play him anymore."

Zavackas, a senior forward, finished with five points and five rebounds in 17 minutes.