Pitt
11-14, 3-9
Virginia Tech
15-10, 3-9
Pitt Rallies to Defeat Virginia Tech, 59-48
2/14/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
BLACKSBURG, Va. -- The University of Pittsburgh women's basketball team outscored Virginia Tech 39-21 in the second half and rallied to defeat the Hokies 59-48 on Sunday afternoon at Cassell Coliseum.
The Panthers (11-14, 3-9 ACC) erased a seven point halftime deficit to record their third straight ACC road win.
Pitt had four players score in double figures, led by Fred Potvin with 14 points. Both Stasha Carey (10 points, 12 rebounds) and Brenna Wise (12 points, 10 rebounds) tallied double-doubles, and Aysia Bugg added 10 points to the victory.
After shooting just 26 percent in the first half (6-of-23) and 50 percent at the line (6-of-12), the Panthers made 50 percent from the floor in the second half (11-of-22) and 88 percent at the line (16-of-18).
Pitt held Virginia Tech (15-10, 3-9 ACC) to 28.3 percent shooting for the game, including just 23 percent in the second half (7-of-30) when the Panthers switched to a zone.
"After struggling in the first half finding ways to score, we came out in the second half switching our defense, and I thought our 2-3 zone was effective in getting stops and helping us score on the offensive end," head coach Suzie McConnell-Serio said. "Offensive execution in the second half was much better and we were able to establish Stasha Carey inside. We had four players score in double figures which contributed to the win."
Sophomore Yacine Diop scored Pitt's first five points to help the Panthers lead 7-6 at the first media timeout. Virginia Tech though, surged ahead courtesy of Hannah Young four-point play and the Hokies led 14-10 after one.
Virginia Tech took a 27-20 lead into halftime. The first half was slowed down by 25 fouls as VT was 10-of-17 at the line, while Pitt was 6-of-12. Wise had six points and six rebounds at the break to lead the Panthers in both categories.
 | We established Stasha Carey on the inside in the second half and that made a huge difference |
After a cold first half, the Panthers came out of the locker room on fire and made their first five shots from the floor, capped by a long jumper from Fred Potvin, which forced VT into a timeout with 6:28 left in the third quarter and the game tied at 30.
The Panthers ultimately outscored the Hokies 21-10 in the third quarter and led 41-37 heading into the final 10 minutes. The Panthers made 7-of-9 from the floor in the quarter and all seven of their free throws.
Pitt outscored the Hokies 18-11 in the decisive 10 minutes, and was clutch at the free throw line, making 9-of-11 which kept the Hokies at a distance. Pitt held Virginia Tech scoreless for the final 3:40 of the game, and Bugg's jumper with the shot clock running out gave Pitt a 53-48 lead with 1:37 left. Pitt was 6-of-6 at the line from that point on.
Wise tallied her team-high fifth double-double of the season, while Carey notched her fourth. VT was led by Sidney Cook with a game-high 17 points.
The Panthers remain on the road for their next contest which comes on Thursday night at North Carolina. Tip is set for 7 p.m. in Chapel Hill.
