Pitt
West Virginia
Pittsburgh Falls To No. 21 WVU, 90-79
2/19/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 19, 2011
Final Stats | Quotes | Notes
PITTSBURGH - Senior guard Taneisha Harrison (Bowie, Md.) had 28 points, but it was not enough to overcome No. 21/20 West Virginia, 90-79 on Saturday afternoon at Petersen Events Center. The contest was designated the fourth annual `Pink the Petersen,' raising awareness of the disease breast cancer and recognizing several survivors.
The Panthers, who defeated the Mountaineers by a 60-53 decision on Feb. 5, split the season series with their Backyard Brawl rival.
Senior Jania Sims (Newark, N.J.) scored 11 points for the Panthers (13-13, 5-8 BIG EAST), who saw their two-game win streak halted. Redshirt freshman Ashlee Anderson (Chicago, Ill.) and freshman Yasmin Fuller (Seattle, Wash.) each added 10 points apiece.
The Mountaineers (21-6, 7-6) were paced by seniors Madina Ali (21 points, 13 rebounds) and Sarah Miles (19 points, 9 assists).
Sims tied the contest at 7-7 following a fast-break layup less than four minutes into the contest. WVU responded by putting together an 18-4 scoring run over the next six minutes to take a commanding 25-11 advantage at the 10:08 mark of the first period. The Panthers managed just one field goal and committed four turnovers over that span.
The Mountaineers led by as many as 16 in the first half on five separate occasions, lastly with 1:58 to go in the half. The Panthers made it a 15-point game at intermission (45-30). WVU shot 51.4 percent (18-of-35) from the field, while Pitt was at a 42.1 percent clip (8-of-19).
The Panthers came out on fire to start the second half with Anderson draining a three-pointer and Harrison converting a fast-break lay-in off a pass from Anderson to cut the deficit to 10 (45-35) with 18:32 remaining.
WVU answered with a 9-4 run to move ahead by 17 (54-37) on a jumper from the right elbow from Miles. After Pitt closed to 55-43, the Mountaineers used a 10-1 surge to pull to a 65-44- their largest - lead with 11:56 to go.
Pitt clawed back, cutting the lead to single digits at 79-70 on a triple by Harrison with 1:51 showing. The Panthers got to within eight (85-77) with 55 seconds left, but could get no closer. The Mountaineers went 5-of-10 from the free throw line in the final 1:01 of the game.
The Panthers, who going into the game had won four of their last five, set season-highs in free throws made (28) and attempted (34).
