Women's Basketball Downs Robert Morris, 78-59
12/1/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Women's Basketball Downs Robert Morris, 78-59
12/1/2004
Marcedes Walker |
PITTSBURGH
Pittsburgh took control of the game early on as it opened with an 8-0 run to start the game as freshman Marcedes Walker (Philadelphia, Pa./University City) used her power under the hoop for two scores. The lead ballooned to 29-6 with 7:30 remaining in the half thanks to a 10-0 Panther run, highlighted by a 3-pointer from senior Amy Kunich (Monroeville, Pa./Oakland Catholic).
Pittsburgh led 36-16 at the half as it held Robert Morris to a dismal 16 percent (6 of 37) shooting from the field. The Panthers hit 15 of their 39 field goal attempts (38.5 percent) in the first 20 minutes.
In the second half, Pittsburgh stretched its lead to as many as 29 points on three occasions before the Colonials mounted a mini-rally. They brought the contest to within 15 points (71-56) with 3:29 to go in the game, but it was not enough as the Panthers came away with a 19-point victory.
For the game, Pittsburgh shot 45.6 percent (31 of 68) from the field while Robert Morris finished 28.6 percent (20 of 70). The Panthers had 24 assists while the Colonials recorded just 10.
Walker led all scorers with a career-high 30 points to go along with 14 rebounds, marking her second double-double of the season. Her 14 boards are a Petersen Events Center record. Kunich and junior Katie Histed (Waverly, N.Y./Waverly) each tallied 10 points while Kunich added eight assists.
Sugiery Monsac had a double-double to lead Robert Morris, finishing with 26 points and 21 rebounds. Jenna Burkett added 21 points for the Colonials.
Pittsburgh returns to action on Friday, Dec. 3, as it travels to the Holiday Inn Express Invitational in Stony Brook, N.Y. The Panthers battle Long Beach State at 7 p.m. and close out with a 3 p.m. tilt on Saturday against Stony Brook.
NOTES: Pittsburgh is now 31-2 all-time against teams from the Northeast Conference...the Panthers are 6-2 in their last eight home openers...Walker?s 30 points are the most by a Panther since Mandy Wittenmyer scored 30 against West Virginia on Jan. 13, 2001...the Panthers had a season-high 55 rebounds to the Colonials? 41.