Pitt
(5-3)
Holy Cross
(2-6)
Pitt Rallies to Defeat Holy Cross, 56-50
12/6/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
PITTSBURGH - The University of Pittsburgh women's basketball team outscored Holy Cross 21-9 in the fourth quarter to rally past the Crusaders 56-50 on Sunday afternoon at the Petersen Events Center.
Trailing 41-35 enters the final 10 minutes, the Panthers turned to their defense and an up-tempo offense for the victory. Pitt (5-3) held Holy Cross (2-6) to 3-of-15 shooting in the fourth quarter and out-rebounded the Crusaders 13-6 which led to numerous fast break baskets.
Freshman Brenna Wise scored 14 points and pulled down nine rebounds in the victory, while Aysia Bugg and Kalista Walters each added 12 points. Wise and Bugg combined to go 14-of-15 at the free throw line, and the Panthers were 18-of-19 at the line collectively.
"It was an offensive struggle for us today, but we found a way to win," head coach Suzie McConnell-Serio said. "Every game is a learning experience for this team, and closing out games like this is something we can benefit from. We say games are won and lost at the free throw line so I was happy to see us make 18-of-19 today."
Trailing 6-5 at the first media timeout of the game, the Panthers then used an 8-0 run with four points apiece from Wise and Bugg to grab a 13-6 lead. Pitt led 15-8 at the end of the first quarter.
Holy Cross would open the second quarter on a 13-0 run as Pitt missed its first seven shots and the Crusaders would lead 21-15 at the under-five media timeout of the quarter. Pitt outscored Holy Cross 8-3 down the stretch of the first half, but the Crusaders led 24-23 at halftime.
Holy Cross established its largest lead of the game with 4:55 remaining in the third quarter when Infiniti Thomas-Waheed nailed a 3-pointer to move the Crusaders ahead 38-29, and they would be up by six after three quarters.
Brittany Gordon was the catalyst of the high tempo offense in the fourth, while Bugg and Wise did the majority of the scoring with eight points and seven points, respectively, in the final 10 minutes.
Kalista Walters' layup at the 3:40 mark gave Pitt a 48-47 lead and the Panthers would remain in front for the rest of the contest.
The Panthers assisted on 15 of their 18 made field goals, led by a career-high five helpers from junior Fred Potvin.
It is a quick turnaround for the Panthers as they return to the Petersen Events Center on Tuesday evening to host Mount St. Mary's at 7 p.m.
