When Pitt point guard Tray Woodall was sitting out games with an abdominal injury he could see exactly what was wrong with Pitt's offense, but he was powerless to do anything about it.

There was nothing Woodall could explain to teammates that would help them break out of their offensive malaise. Woodall could only help by playing because he is the only Panther on the roster with the ability to create open shots for teammates.

When Pitt made 11 3-pointers Wednesday night in an 86-74 victory against Providence to break an eight-game losing streak, Woodall's value became clear.

"We were flowing," said Woodall, who played in his second game after missing a month. "We were setting each other up. When I'm out there it allows guys more room to work the ball and everyone is able to get shots. It looked real good out there with everyone knocking down shots with confidence."

The Panthers shot 49 percent from the field and made 11 of 20 from 3-point range against Providence. They had 10 or more 3-pointers in four of the first nine games, but Wednesday's contest was the first time they made 10 or more in a game since a Dec. 6 victory against VMI.

Ashton Gibbs, who has been struggling all season with his outside shot, was the main beneficiary of Woodall's passes. He was 5 for 11 from 3-point range, including four in a row in less than two minutes late in the first half when the Panthers broke the game open.

It was only the third time all season Gibbs made five 3-pointers in a game.

"That was good to see," coach Jamie Dixon said. "It's taking good shots early and then getting into a rhythm. Then that carries through. I just think getting good shots early is a big difference-maker for guys, shooters especially."

Woodall also got into the act. He was 4 for 4 from long range. Woodall is a dual threat as a passer and shooter, which makes him invaluable to this offense because it needs both components to be effective.

"There's definitely more space with him out there," Gibbs said. "He's a playmaker, but at the same time he's a scoring option, too. The defense has to respect him. It opens up opportunities for me. I'm glad he's back. Now, the best is yet to come for him and this team."