Pitt
(8-5)
Duquesne
(12-1)
Pitt Falls to Duquesne, 79-65
12/30/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
PITTSBURGH - A fourth quarter rally came up short as the University of Pittsburgh women's basketball team fell to Duquesne 79-65 on Wednesday afternoon at Petersen Events Center.
The Panthers, who trailed by 24 midway through the second half, cut the deficit to nine points with three minutes remaining, but could not come all the way back as Duquesne (12-1) handed the Panthers (8-5) their first home loss of the season.
Freshman Kalista Walters led the Panthers with 22 points on 9-of-16 shooting, while also adding seven rebounds and five blocks.
Fellow freshman Brenna Wise had 11 points, a career-high 16 rebounds and five blocks as well. Sophomore Stasha Carey scored a season-high 17 points.
"I'm disappointed with the way we came out," head coach Suzie McConnell-Serio said. "I thought we had a lot of opportunities early from point-blank range to establish an inside game, and some of those missed opportunities led to foul trouble. Getting down 24 points against a good team is very difficult to come back from, but I'm so pleased with our players and proud of how they just continued to fight."
It was back and forth early on as the two teams were tied 8-8 after the first five minutes. The Dukes' April Robinson though, scored 10 points in the opening quarter which helped Duquesne lead 22-13 after one.
The Panthers outscored Duquesne 11-6 in the first five minutes of the second quarter and a 3-pointer from Wise cut the Dukes' lead to 30-24 at the media timeout.
A layup from Cassidy Walsh brought Pitt within four (32-28), but the Dukes' Chassidy Omogrosso sparked a 13-2 run to end the half with nine points as Duquesne led 45-30 at halftime.
Led by Robinson, Duquesne opened up its largest lead of the game of 24 points in the third quarter when the senior connected on a fade-away jumper with 4:05 left. The Dukes' lead was 20 entering the final quarter (66-46).
The Panthers scored the first six points of the fourth quarter to get within 14, and ultimately outscored the Duke 17-6 to open the quarter which got them within nine (72-63) with three minutes left.
However, the Panthers would commit three turnovers on their next three possessions which halted the comeback.
Robinson led the Dukes with 24 points on 9-of-14 shooting, while Omogrosso added 18 and Deva'Nyar Workman 15 points and 14 rebounds.
The Panthers now jump into ACC play on Sunday when they host No. 3 Notre Dame at the Petersen Events Center. Tip is set for 2 p.m.
