Pitt
Rutgers
NO. 22 PITT WOMEN FALL AT RUTGERS IN CONFERENCE OPENER
1/6/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 6, 2007
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. - The Pitt women's basketball team (12-2, 0-1 Big East) fell in its conference opener at Rutgers (7-5, 2-1) Saturday afternoon, 63-39, dropping just its second game of the season.
"We just couldn't get over the hump today," head coach Agnus Berenato said. "We pulled it to within three points in the second half and the next thing you know, it's a seven point lead for them and they hit a three and it is out to 10. Rutgers turned it up to another level today.
"It was simple, we didn't make layups and couldn't grab rebounds. This is a great program and we have to make shots to beat a team like Rutgers."
In the first half, Rutgers jumped out to a quick 9-2 start. The Panthers had their chances missing a few layups suffering a scoring drought from the 19:30 mark to 14:14 in the half. Pitt came back from a 13-point deficit to pull it to 33-23 at the half.
In the second, the Panthers came out strong with a 6-0 run and pulled to within three points at 38-35 at the 12:43 mark. They would not be able to come closer, however, as Pitt scored just two points in the final 10:33 of the game with Rutgers out-scoring the Panthers 22-2 to end the game.
Shavonte Zellous was a bright spot for Pitt with 16 points and six rebounds, playing all 40 minutes. Marcedes Walker added a team-best 11 rebounds and added seven points. The Panthers shot a season-low 30.2 percent from the field and just 44.4 percent from the free throw line.
The Panthers will return home for the first time since Dec. 5 with a Tuesday night matchup with No. 18 Marquette at 7 p.m. at the Petersen Events Center. The game will be broadcast live on www.PittsburghPanthers.com All-Access as well as on Fox Sports Radio 970 AM with Greg Linnelli and Mike Clark calling the action.
