Pitt
USF
Pitt Drops Tough One At USF Saturday Night, 65-64
3/1/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
March 1, 2008
TAMPA, Fla. - The Pitt women's basketball team jumped out to an early lead, but could not hang on as USF fought back for the 65-64 win, leading just :43 seconds of the game.
The Panthers fell to 19-9 overall and 9-6 in Big East play as USF improved to 14-14 overall and 4-11 in league action.
The Panthers got off to an exceptional start, hitting all eight of their first shots and jumping out to the 18-2 lead. The Bulls went on a 20-10 run and pulled to within five at 30-25, mostly while Shavonte Zellous and Marcedes Walker sat on the bench with three and two fouls respectively. Pitt held a 34-28 lead entering the lockerroom after shooting 59.3 percent from the field in the half.
In the second half, the Bulls clawed their way back into the game and hung around throughout the half, despite trailing until tying the game at 63-63. Shantia Grace hit a layup with :05 on the clock and it would end up being the game-winner.
Pitt drove down the court and took a timeout to set up the play. Zellous attempted a shot and a whistle was blown, but it was waved off and the Bulls won the game on their Senior Night by one, 65-64.
Walker (Philadelphia, Pa./University City) led the Panthers with 17 points and added five rebounds and three assists. She now needs just four to break the Pitt all-time rebounding record of 1,107. Also scoring in double figures was Xenia Stewart (Bowie, Md./Riverdale Baptist) and Zellous (Orlando, Fla./Jones), both with 13 points. Senior guard Mallorie Winn (San Diego, Calif./Georgia Tech/Bishops) dished out a career-tying nine assists, while adding six points, four rebounds and three steals.
Pitt returns to action Monday, March 3 as it hosts Georgetown in a 7 p.m. contest at the Petersen Events Center. The program will honor seniors Karlyle Lim, Marcedes Walker and Mallorie Winn on Senior Night.
