Pitt
(3-0)
Delaware State
(0-3)
Pitt Runs Past Delaware State, 77-43
11/20/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
BOX SCORE | SEASON STATISTICS | 
PHOTO GALLERY
PITTSBURGH -- The University of Pittsburgh women basketball team had four players score in double figures en route to a 77-43 victory over Delaware State on Friday night at the Petersen Events Center.
Freshman Kalista Walters led Pitt in scoring for the second straight game with 18 points on 9-of-14 shooting, to go along with five rebounds. Fellow freshman Brenna Wise had 14 points and nine rebounds, while sophomores Yacine Diop and Stasha Carey chipped in with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Defensively, Pitt (3-0) held Delaware State (0-3) to 32 percent shooting and forced the Hornets into 26 turnovers. The Panthers outscored DSU 22-2 in the fourth quarter.
Kauai Bradley led the defensive charge with three steals, three blocks and four rebounds, as well as relentless ball pressure which forced numerous DSU turnovers.
The Panthers, who lead the ACC in field goal percentage defense, have held all three of their opponents under 32 percent shooting and have forced at least 20 turnovers in each game this season.
"In the first half we were a little stagnant defensively, so at halftime we talked about dictating the game on defense and getting up to pressure the ball," head coach Suzie McConnell-Serio said. "I thought we were able to create a lot off our defense in the second half."
Wise scored the first five points for the Panthers and had eight points in the opening stanza to help the Panthers lead 16-11 after one.
DSU got back into the game in the second quarter, and a 3-pointer from Mikah Aldridge got the Hornets within three at 23-20, but Pitt responded with a 7-0 run to gain a 10 point advantage.
Cassidy Walsh started the run with a steal and layup, followed by an and-1 from Diop and a bucket from Brittany Gordon. That run helped Pitt lead 34-24 at halftime.
After DSU hit a three to open the second half, Pitt used a 14-3 run which gave them a 48-30 lead at the media timeout of the third quarter. The Panthers were up 55-41 after three.
It was a dominating fourth quarter for the Panthers as they held DSU to 1-of-10 from the floor and forced seven turnovers. Pitt turned DSU's 26 turnovers into 29 points.
The Panthers shot a season-best 43.5 percent from the floor and assisted on 23 of their 44 made baskets. DSU received a team-high 15 points from Amber Bogard.
The Panthers are off to their best start since the 2009-10 season and own a +25.0 scoring margin.
Pitt now heads to the Paradise Jam in the U.S. Virgin Islands where they will play South Dakota State, Old Dominion and Maryland.
