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Western Michigan
Pitt Women Defeat Western Michigan 88-60
11/20/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 20, 2008
KALAMAZOO, Mich. -
The Pitt women’s basketball team (1-1) earned its first win of the season in convincing fashion Thursday night with an 88-60 victory at Western Michigan (0-2). Shavonte Zellous led all scorers with a 23-point performance, including 20 in the first half.
“We came out here today and had a business-like approach,” head coach Agnus Berenato said. “The team came out and went to work and got it done. This was a total team effort today. When we had players come off the bench, there was no drop off and that is great when you can do that.”
Every player scored for the Panthers in the 28-point victory. Freshman Pepper Wilson (Pittsburgh, Pa./Westinghouse) scored 15 on the night and added six rebounds and two assists. Junior forward Sophronia Sallard (Syracuse, N.Y./Nottingham/Kansas) dished out a career-high six assists on the night and senior Xenia Stewart (Bowie, Md./Riverdale Baptist) is now just 16 points from 1,000 for her career with eight on the night.
Pitt jumped out to a quick lead and never relinquished it as the Panthers shot an outstanding 52.8 percent from the field (19 of 36) in the first half. Pitt led 42-24 entering the lockerroom, led primarily by the dominating 20-point first half performance by Zellous. At one point in the middle of the half, she scored 12 straight points for the Panthers. The 18-point advantage for the Panthers was due in large part to a Western Michigan drought for over six minutes, as well as Pitt forcing 14 Broncos’ turnovers.
It was more of the same to start the second half as Pitt charged to an 18-3 run to start the half on 7 of 12 shooting from the field. The Panthers went on to shoot 38 of 82 for the game for 46.3 percent shooting from the field. Pitt had 25 assists on the night and just 12 turnovers while forcing 26 Western Michigan turnovers.
Pitt will open at home on Monday, Nov. 24 at 7 p.m. at the Petersen Events Center against in-state rival Penn State. The Panthers will honor the 1983-84 Big East regular season champions and will unveil its 2008 Sweet 16 banner prior to the start of the game.
