Pitt
(7-4)
Rider
(3-6)
Pitt Downs Rider, 75-44
12/20/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
BOX SCORE | SEASON STATISTICS | McCONNELL-SERIO INTERVIEW
PITTSBURGH - The University of Pittsburgh women's basketball team defeated Rider University 75-44 on Sunday afternoon at the Petersen Events Center.
The Panthers (7-4) held Rider (3-6) to just 24 percent shooting (12-of-49) and forced a season-high 28 turnovers in the win. It was the seventh time in 11 games this season Pitt has forced its opponent into at least 20 turnovers.
Pitt had four players scored in double figures, led by Yacine Diop and Kalista Walters with 16 points apiece. Stasha Carey added a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, while Brenna Wise chipped in with 10 points.
It was Carey's first double-double of the season and the eighth of her career.
Pitt did most of its damage in the paint, outscoring the Broncs 50-12 inside. As a result, Pitt shot 46.7 percent overall from the floor.
"For us to be successful we have to have balanced scoring, and that is what we did today," head coach Suzie McConnell-Serio said. "We were able to get the ball inside and that was a focal point coming into the game."
A slow start allowed Rider to lead 12-7 after the first quarter. Pitt made just two of its first 12 shots and had seven turnovers, but it would be all Pitt for the remaining 30 minutes.
The Panthers erased that slow start and opened the second quarter on a 14-2 run, sparked by Diop who scored eight points during the spurt, and Pitt took a 21-14 lead with 5:45 remaining in the half.
Pitt led 31-19 at the break and ultimately outscored the Broncs 24-7 in the second quarter. Diop and Carey paced the Panthers with 10 and nine points, respectively, at halftime.
The two teams played evenly to open the third quarter, but the Panthers then busted the game wide open with a 19-0 run to end the quarter and led 60-28 entering the final stanza.
Pitt featured five freshmen on the court for the majority of the final quarter as the Panthers cruised to a 31 point victory and moved to 5-0 at the Petersen Events Center.
Pitt was able to turn Rider's 28 turnovers into 33 points, while its bench also outscored the Broncs 22-13. Rider was led by Manon Pellet and Tobin Perkins with 12 and 11 points, respectively.
The Panthers will return to action on Tuesday against 2015 NCAA Tournament participant American. Tip at the Petersen Events Center is set for 2 p.m.
