Pitt to Host IUP in Exhibition Action on Sunday
11/6/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
LIVE STATS
PITTSBURGH – In its only tune-up for the regular season, the University of Pittsburgh women’s basketball team will host Indiana University (Pa.) on Sunday afternoon at the Petersen Events Center. Tip is set for 2 p.m.
For a second straight preseason, Pitt head coach Suzie McConnell-Serio will square off against her brother – IUP head coach Tom McConnell. Both Suzie and Tom are entering their third season at their respective schools.
YOUTHFUL PANTHERS:
The 2015-16 Pitt Panthers will be one of the youngest teams in the country this season. Pitt has zero seniors, three juniors, three sophomores and five freshmen on the roster.
Boasting the most experience of that group is the class of sophomores in Aysia Bugg, Stasha Carey and Yacine Diop. Carey and Diop started all 32 games last season and were the top two leading rebounders, while Bugg started 29 of 32 games and shared the back court with graduated senior Brianna Kiesel.
Diop (9.4 points, 7.2 rebounds per game) and Carey (9.1 points, 7.7 rebounds) will look to increase their offensive production this season, while Bugg will be the team’s primary ball handler in the absence of Kiesel.
NEW FACES:
The Panthers will introduce six new players to the court this Sunday, including five freshmen and one transfer.
The crop of this year’s freshmen include: Tania Lamb (Los Angeles, Calif./Long Beach Poly), Kauai Bradley (Chicago, Ill./Marian Catholic), Cassidy Walsh (Pittsburgh, Pa./Seton-La Salle), Kalista Walters (Fleetwood, Pa./Bethlehem Catholic) and Brenna Wise (Pittsburgh, Pa./Vincentian Academy).
Destinie Gibbs comes to Pitt after graduating from Southern California in three years and she has two years of eligibility remaining.
SEASON OPENER:
The Panthers will begin the regular season next Friday, November 13, when Pitt hosts Wagner on its annual School Day game. Tip is set for 11 a.m.