Pitt
(1-1)
Niagara
(0-2)
Carey's Double-Double Leads Pitt Past Niagara, 70-54
11/17/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Box Score | Box Score (PDF) | Season Statistics
PITTSBURGH - Freshman forward Stasha Carey had 17 points and 16 rebounds to lead the University of Pittsburgh women's basketball team (1-1) past Niagara University (0-2) on Monday evening at the Petersen Events Center, 70-54.
Carey led three Pitt players in double figures, followed by senior Monica Wignot with 12 points and freshman Aysia Bugg with 11. Eight of the nine Pitt players found the scoring column and all nine contributed at least one rebound. Carey also added four blocks, three assists and two steals to her stat line.
"Tonight was a great win. We had great performances from a number of players, in particular Stasha Carey who was a monster on the boards," head coach Suzie McConnell-Serio said. "She kept the ball alive with eight offensive rebounds and made it look effortless. She was impressive scoring the basketball and she looked very strong. We talk about our three freshmen gaining experience and with every game they will continue to get better and better."
Carey helped the Panthers control the glass as Pitt out-rebounded Niagara 54-45. Pitt turned 19 Niagara turnovers into 20 points, and the Pitt bench outscored the Purple Eagles, 24-15.
Niagara raced out to a 6-0 lead, but back-to-back triples from Carey evened the game at six heading into the first media timeout.
The two teams would trade baskets until Pitt went on an 8-2 run, capped off by a slashing layup from Carey which increased Pitt's lead to 27-18 with 7:54 remaining in the half.
Out of the under eight media timeout however, Niagara's Val McQuade hit her third and fourth 3-pointers of the half to get the Purple Eagles back within three at 27-24. McQuade finished the first half a perfect 5-of-5 from the floor and had 14 points at the break.
The Panthers though, closed the half on an 11-1 run to seize a 38-25 lead at the break. With Pitt up eight, Aysia Bugg scored the final five points of the half on a 3-pointer and a pair of free throws to give Pitt a 13 point halftime advantage.
Carey led the way with 12 points and nine rebounds, while Chelsea Welch came off the bench to contribute nine points and six rebounds in the opening 20 minutes.
Pitt would score six of the first eight points of the second half, and continued to stretch its lead, gaining a 16 point advantage (49-33) after Fred Potvin connected from long range at the 11:58 mark.
Niagara was ice cold from the floor to begin the second half and made just four of its first 23 shots to open the half. Pitt's largest lead would reach 28 points on a pair of free throws from Wignot with 4:45 left in the game.
The Panthers were a solid 17-for-23 from the free throw line, while Niagara was just 5-for-12.
The Panthers conclude their three game home stand on Thursday evening against Michigan in a rematch from last year's contest which saw the Wolverines edge the Panthers 82-75 in Ann Arbor. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
