Pittsburgh, PA -- (Sports Network) - Aaron Gray made sure an early-season upset didn't happen, scoring 23 points and grabbing 13 rebounds as No. 4 Pittsburgh survived a scare for a 66-55 victory over Oakland as part of Colonial Basketball Classic.

Frontcourt mate Levon Kendall posted 11 points and nine rebounds for the Panthers (5-0), who have won all five of their games by double digits while not leaving the friendly confines of the Petersen Events Center.

Vova Severovas tallied 17 points and Erik Kangas added 11 for Oakland (3-2), which played the Panthers tough throughout. The Golden Grizzlies forced 17 turnovers to stay within striking distance.

Severovas' layup brought the Golden Grizzlies within 47-45 with just over 12 minutes remaining, but the Panthers reeled off 10 consecutive points to put the game back on safe footing.

Antonio Graves and Gray converted easy layups and Kendall converted a three- point play. Mike Cook's free throw and Keith Benjamin's layup ended the spurt with 7:02 remaining.

Oakland got back within eight on four straight points from Severovas, but Benjamin's three-pointer ended any hope of a comeback.

The first half was played at Oakland's pace, with the Golden Grizzlies' swarming defense wrecking havoc on the physical Pittsburgh offense.

Oakland jumped out to a 9-2 lead, and held a 27-18 edge on Severovas' lay-in with 7:30 remaining in the first half.

The Golden Grizzlies led 33-29 at the half.

Game Notes:

Pittsburgh won the only previous meeting...Gray is the Big East Preseason Player of the Year...Pitt shot 49 percent from the floor, while Oakland made 37 percent of its shots...Oakland compiled 15 points off turnovers.