Panthers Gearing up for Seton Hall
12/9/1998 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Panthers Gearing up for Seton Hall
12/9/1998
Series History - Tonight's game marks the 33rd meeting between Pittsburgh and Seton Hall in a series that dates back to 1982-83. The Pirates lead the all-time series, 17-15. Seton Hall has won eight of the last nine meetings in the series. In the lone meeting last season, the Pirates won a 72-62 decision Jan. 17 over the Panthers at Fitzgerald Field House. Pittsburgh last defeated Seton Hall Feb. 15, 1997, 56-54, in a road contest.
The Coaches - Traci Waites is 4-2 in her first season as the head coach of the Panthers. Waites joined the Panthers after serving the University of Arizona the prior four seasons as an assistant coach, including the last two as associate head coach. While there, Waites was instrumental in the Wildcats' emergence as a Top 10 program, helping them to three straight 20-win seasons and two NCAA Tournament berths.
Prior to Arizona, Waites was the head coach at Santa Monica Community College in Santa Monica, Calif., from 1993-94 after serving the program as an assistant for three years. During her tenure, Waites' teams finished second in the Western States Conference and qualified for the state playoffs each year.
Waites enjoyed an outstanding collegiate playing career, first at Georgia and then at Long Beach State. She played in the NCAA Tournament each of her four seasons and went to two Final Fours. She holds the distinction of being the only player to appear in the Final Four for two different teams.
Phyllis Mangina is in her 14th year as the head coach at Seton Hall. She owns a 200-183 record overall, and in 1997-98 Mangina became the school's winningest coach with a 72-62 win over Pittsburgh.
During her tenure, Mangina's teams reached the NCAA Tournament twice and achieved two 20-win seasons. In 1993-94, Seton Hall finished 14th in both the Associated Press and USAToday polls, its highest national ranking ever.
Mangina has received numerous Coach of the Years honors, including being named Big East Coach of the Year in 1990 and 1994.
Prior to her head coaching position, Mangina served as an assistant at Seton Hall from 1982-85 and at Wagner College during the 1981-82 season.
Big East Openers: Heading into tonight's contest, Pittsburgh owns a 7-9 record in Big East opening games since joining the conference in the 1982-83 season. This includes a 4-3 mark in openers at Fitzgerald and a 3-6 record in away contests.
Pittsburgh lost its last three conference openers. The most recent win came in a 75-63 victory over host Syracuse in the 1994-95 season.
A Quarter Century: The 1998-99 season marks the 25th women's basketball season in Pittsburgh history. Pittsburgh has an all-time mark of 339-336, including two NWIT Tournament berths.
Pittsburgh Streaks: Pittsburgh's 4-0 record to start the season marked the Panthers' best start in 16 seasons. The last time the Panthers opened the season with four wins was during the 1982-83 season when they held a 5-0 record. That season, Pittsburgh opened with wins over Fairmont State (79-59), Ohio University (98-78), National College (93-39), Kent State (59-58) and Akron (72-63).
The Panthers' victory over Penn State this season is also one to note. The win was Pittsburgh's third of the season and the first time the Panthers had beaten the Lady Lions in the last decade. Pittsburgh's victory marked their first over Penn State since the 1988-89 season when they won a 74-70 decision at State College. It was also Pittsburgh's first win over Penn State at Fitzgerald Field House since 1982-83.
Season Openers: The Panthers opened their season for the 15th time in 25 seasons at home Nov. 14. The victory over Robert Morris improved Pittsburgh's record in home openers to 12-3 and 18-7 overall.
Panther Pride: Pittsburgh opened the 1998-99 season on the right track, capturing its own Pittsburgh Panther Invitational. The Panthers have hosted the Invitational 17 times in the past, but this season's championship marks the Panthers' first since the 1994-95 season.
Panther Points: The Panthers opened their season with an 89-49 rout over crosstown-rival Robert Morris. The 89 points scored in the game were Pittsburgh's most since an 90-72 overtime victory over Providence in the 1993-94 season.
Discipline and Defense: The Panthers' emphasis on discipline and defense this season has paid off. Pittsburgh had a solid defensive effort to start the season, and defense proved to be a large factor in its first three victories.
The Panthers forced 27 turnovers, including 14 in the second half against Penn State. In the Invitational, Pittsburgh forced a combined 46 turnovers (23 in each game), including 15 in the first half of the victory over Robert Morris. To date, Pittsburgh is forcing an average of 19.8 turnovers per game.
More on Defense: The Panthers are one of the top scoring defenses in the conference. They rank third among Big East conference teams, allowing their opponents only 59.9 points per game. The only teams with a better mark are Rutgers, allowing 54.9 points, and Villanova, who are giving up 56.6 points per game.
Free Shots: The Panthers have taken advantage of the their trips to the charity stripe this season. Pittsburgh has converted 61.8 percent (76-of-123) of its shots from the free-throw line.
The Panthers' top free-thow shooters this season by percentage are Alecia Balich (100 percent, 22-of-22), Monique Toney (83 percent, 15-of-18) and Kortni Webb (72 percent, 13-of-18).
Clutch Performances: The Panthers have been solid from the free-throw line in the waining minutes of the game.
In the final two minutes of the game, Pittsburgh is 20-30 (67 percent) from the free throw line. This has been particularly important in close games. Forward Alecia Balich sealed the Panthers' 49-46 victory over Penn State, sinking 4-of-4 free throws in the final 1:17. In Pittsburgh's win over Richmond, sophomore Monique Toney hit two free throws in the last 15 seconds to pull ahead 69-66.
Keep Coming Back: "Never give up" has been the Panthers' motto in 1998-99. They have rallied from a first half deficit in three games this season to secure victories. In the Panthers' Nov. 15 contest against Miami (Ohio), Pittsburgh trailed by three at intermission, and went on to score 41 points in the second half for the 75-56 win. Pittsburgh also came back from a 27-25 deficit to win a dramatic 49-46 victory over intrastate-rival Penn State Nov. 18. The Panthers once again rallied in their road contest with Richmond. They trailed by seven at the half before heading to a 69-66 win.
Pittsburgh also mounted a furious rally in its most recent loss to crosstown-rival Duquesne. Despite a 34-25 deficit at halftime, the Panthers pulled the score within three points on three ocassions before suffering the defeat.
Board Crashers: The Panthers have been solid this season on the boards. To this point, Pittsburgh has outrebounded its opponent in every game. The Panthers are averaging 40.0 rebounds per game, while only allowing their opponents 32.5. Their rebounding success has placed them among the conference leaders. Pittsburgh is currently third in the Big East, pulling down 7.5 more rebounds per game than its opponents.
Player Notes
Balich's Best: Senior Alecia Balich has been strong for the Panthers this season. The 6-1 forward has averaged 13.7 points and 6.2 rebounds in Pittsburgh's first six games.
Balich has scored in double figures five times this season, and registered her first double-double performance of the year against Miami (Ohio) with 13 points and a team-high 10 rebounds.
Balich led the Panthers against Penn State with a game and career-high 20 points, and versus Duquesne with a game-high 18 points.
Magical Morris: Junior 6-7 center Nickeia Morris has been exceptional in her starting role this season. She earned Most Valuable Player honors in Pittsburgh's Invitational, and is averaging a team-high 13.8 points and 10.0 rebounds per game.
Morris had her best performance of the season in the Panthers' win over Robert Morris when she recorded a team-high 18 points and 10 rebounds.
Terrific Toney: Sophomore Monique Toney has been a spark for the Panthers off the bench this season. She is avergaing 7.5 points per game. The 5-5 guard is also averaging 2.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. In the Nov. 24 victory over Richmond, Toney tallied a season-high 14 points and added three rebounds.
Wonder Webb: Senior Kortni Webb, who contributed off the bench for the Panthers' last season, is taking on a larger role this year. In this season's first six contests, Webb stepped into a starting role for the Panthers and performed well.
The 6-2 forward averaged 12.5 points during the Pittsburgh Panther Invitational, including a career- high 19 points versus Robert Morris.
Webb is also proving to be a force on the boards. She is second on the team with an average of 7.3 rebounds per game. In the Panthers' win over Richmond Nov. 24, Webb had a team-high (tie) 10 boards. She tallied her first double-double of the season this past week against Duquesne with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Seeing Doubles: Nickeia Morris has recorded four double-doubles in six games this season, including the Penn State (10 points, 13 rebounds), Robert Morris (18 points, 10 rebounds), Richmond (15 points, 10 rebounds) and Duquesne (12 points, 13 rebounds) contests.
Morris has also scored in double figures every game this season. She registered 18 points versus Miami (Ohio) and 10 points against Ohio State.
Kat Walk: A spot starter last season, junior Michelle Katkowski has jumped into the Panthers' starting lineup on a fulltime basis this season. In her most impressive performance, the 5-6 guard scored a career-high 20 points in Pittsburgh's victory over Miami (Ohio). In the second half of the contest, Katkowski sparked a key 22-4 run for the Panthers by scoring nine points. She registered her second- highest point total of the season in Pittsburgh's loss to Duquesne with 12 points.
Blanton Blast: Pittsburgh's starting point guard, senior LaTonya Blanton is leading the Panthers in assists this season with an average of 4.2 assists per game. Blanton also ranks eighth among conference leaders with 25 assists. She is second in the conference with a 1.92 assist-to-turnover ratio.
Receiving Charity: Senior Alecia Balich has proved to be Pittsburgh's ace from the free throw line this season. Currently, she is a perfect 22-of-22 from the line, and the only player in the Big East to boast such perfection. It also places her first nationally.
She has also been solid in clutch situations. In Pittsburgh's win over Penn State Nov. 18, Balich hit 8-of-8 from the charity stripe in the final minutes of the game to give the Panthers' a 49-46 victory.
Morris Block Party: Nickeia Morris ranks among the school's best shot-blockers. Morris moved into the top 10 on Pittsburgh's career blocked shot leaders list after the Panthers' loss to Ohio State. Morris recorded three blocks in the Pittsburgh Panther Invitational and has three in each of Pittsburgh's last three games.
Following is a list of career blocked shot leaders:
No. Name Blocks Morris Needs
1. Gail Aughburns 241 145
2. Wanda Randolf 211 115
3. Jennifer Bruce 203 107
4. Connie Hurt 189 93
5. Kim Tirik 170 74
6. Jill McElhinny 162 66
7. Jennifer Shingler 147 51
8. Pam Miklasevich 142 46
9. Lisa Fubio 136 40
10. NICKEIA MORRIS 97
On Board with Morris: Nickeia Morris is rapidily moving up the ranks on Pittsburgh's career rebounders list. Last week, she jumped into Pittsburgh's Top 20 with her seven rebounds against Ohio State. After pulling down 13 boards versus Duquesne Dec. 4, Morris moved even further up the list to the number- 19 spot. Morris now holds a career total 371 (6.3 rpg./59 games) rebounds in just three seasons. This season, she has tallied a team-high 60 rebounds (10.0 rpg.). Morris led the Panthers with 211 (8.4 rpg.) rebounds, including 141 in Big East play last season. As a freshman in 1996-97, Morris recorded 100 (3.6 rpg.) rebounds, 50 of which came in conference play.
Following is a list of career rebound leaders:
No. Name Rebounds Morris Needs
1. Wanda Randolf 1,107 737
2. Gail Aughburns 1,007 637
3. Jennifer Bruce 998 628
4. Pam Miklasevich 968 598
5. Jonna Huemrich 954 584
6. Lorri Johnson 908 538
7. Latia Howard 664 294
8. Sally Sheerer 580 210
9. Connie Hurt 551 181
10. Penny Welsh 513 143
11. Jenine Joyce 462 92
12. Turia Ransom 461 91
13. Tabatha Long 458 88
14. Melissa Thompson 451 81
15. Carolyn Miller 449 79
16. Jill McElhinny 435 65
17. Kit Loeffler 395 25
18. Barbara Welsh 393 23
19. Nickeia Morris 371
20. Ellen Gilholley 365
PANTHER CAREER REBOUND LEADERS
Nationally Ranked: The Panthers top scorers are receiving recognition nationally, as well as in the Big East Conference. Senior Alecia Balich is first nationally, as well as in the conference for her perfect 22- of-22 mark from the free throw line. Nationally, she is tied with Brigham Young's Amanda Covington (18-of-18), Southeast Missouri State's Pam Iverson (22-of-22) and Southern Utah's Alycia Adams (19- of-19) for the number-one spot.
Junior Nickeia Morris also ranks among the country's best. Morris' 13 blocks (2.2 bpg.) are good enough to rank her 20th nationally. In the Big East, Morris is third behind Notre Dame's Ruth Riley (28 blocks, 4.67 bpg.) and Miami's Kym Hope (13 blocks, 2.60 bpg.).
Playing Time: Evidenced by the distribution of playing time, the Panthers' upperclassmen are being heavily relied on this season. Pittsburgh's senior and junior classes have accounted for 80 percent of the playing time this season. Junior Nickeia Morris is seeing the most time on the court, averaging 32.3 minutes, while senior Alecia Balich is second with 30.0 minutes per game.
Pittsburgh's Minutes Played by Class Class Minutes Played Percentage
Senior. . . . .592 . . . . . . . . . . . .49%
Junior. . . . .370 . . . . . . . . . . . .31%
Sophomore . . .133 . . . . . . . . . . . .11%
Freshman. . . .105 . . . . . . . . . . . . 9%
Total . . . . .1200. . . . . . . . . . .100%
On the Horizon: Following tonight's game, the Panthers are without action until Dec. 20 due to the university's finals week. Prior to the Christmas holiday, Pittsburgh will travel to play in the Oakland Tribune Classic Dec. 20-21. The Panthers will face host California in teh first round of play, Dec. 20 at 6 p.m. Also competing in the tournament is 11th-ranked (Associated Press/12th USAToday/Coaches Poll) Colorado State and Wake Forest.