Pitt Loses Three OT Thriller to NC State, 78-76
1/10/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
BOX SCORE | SEASON STATISTICS | McCONNELL-SERIO INTERVIEW | HIGHLIGHTS
PITTSBURGH – In its first ever triple overtime game, the University of Pittsburgh women’s basketball team lost a heartbreaker to NC State 78-76 on Sunday afternoon at the Petersen Events Center.
Along with it being Pitt’s longest game in program history, today also tied a Petersen Events Center record for the longest game in the history of the building. The men’s team also went three overtimes against West Virginia back in 2010.
With the Wolfpack leading 55-53, Fred Potvin missed a game-tying attempt, but Stasha Carey corralled the rebound and was fouled with two tenths of a second left in the game. Carey was clutch at the free throw line and knocked down both attempts which sent the game to overtime.
The Panthers (8-8, 0-3 ACC) had an opportunity to win the game in the first overtime period, but Yacine Diop’s baseline jumper was no good and the two teams headed to the second overtime deadlocked at 62.
With the Wolfpack (12-5, 3-1 ACC) ahead by two in the second overtime, Brenna Wise grabbed an offensive rebound and converted the put-back which tied the game at 68 with 13 seconds left, and NC State’s game-winning attempt went begging, forcing a third overtime.
NC State hit timely shots in the third overtime, including a 3-pointer from Dominque Wilson which moved the Wolfpack ahead 72-71 with 1:05 left. After a Pitt turnover, NC State once again converted to go up 74-71, and Pitt’s game-tying 3-point attempt was no good, forcing the Panthers to foul as NC State iced the game at the line.
Both Diop and Wise recorded double-doubles as Diop had a team-high 18 points to go along with 10 rebounds. Wise went for 14 points and a career-high tying 16 rebounds, while adding four blocks. Carey and Kalista Walters each added 12 points and seven rebounds.
The Wolfpack received 22 points from Miah Spencer and 21 from Dominique Wilson. Pitt held NC State to just 32.5 percent shooting for the game (26-of-80), while the Panthers were 39 percent (30-of-77), but Pitt turned the ball over 24 times, including six costly ones in the overtime periods.
Diop made her first three shots of the game, and the Panthers raced out to a 14-5 lead at the first media timeout. Pitt made seven of its first 11 shots, but the Panthers then hit a drought and NC State closed the quarter on a 10-2 run to get within one (16-15) after the first 10 minutes.
The cold shooting continued in the second quarter and NC State gained a 28-18 lead, but Potvin entered the contest late in the second quarter and promptly knocked down two 3-pointers to get Pitt within six at halftime (30-24).
With NC State holding a 45-37 lead entering the final quarter, Pitt outscored the Wolfpack 18-10 in the final 10 minutes to force overtime. Carey and Wise had 12 of the team’s 18 points in the final quarter, including the two pressure-packed free throws from Carey.
The Panthers return to action this coming Thursday when they travel to take on Syracuse at the Carrier Dome. Tip is set for 7 p.m.
TIP INS: Pitt collected a season-high 61 rebounds in the loss…NC State established a new Petersen Events Center record with 80 field goals attempted…Brenna Wise tied a school record for minutes played with 49 (Brianna Kiesel also played 49 minutes vs. Providence in 2013)…That was Pitt’s first overtime loss as members of the ACC. Pitt is 2-1 in overtime games since joining the league.
