Panthers Topple Bucknell, 57-39

Wednesday, December 20

Pittsburgh, Pa.

2 P.M.

Pitt

(7-5)

Bucknell

(6-5)

Bucknell

Pitt

12/20/2017 4:33:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Final Book (PDF)Photo Gallery McConnell-Serio Postgame

Pitt Ties Season-Low for Allowed Points

PITTSBURGH – Junior forward Danielle Garven had a game-high 15 points as Pitt women's basketball (7-5, 0-0 ACC) downed Bucknell (6-5, 0-0 Patriot League), 57-39, Wednesday afternoon at Petersen Events Center.

Pitt will open ACC play at Virginia Thursday, Dec. 28, with a final non-conference game set for New Year's Eve at Petersen Events Center against Chicago State.

"Our conference is so tough," Panthers head coach Suzie McConnell-Serio said of the Panthers' upcoming ACC opener. "We open up with Virginia so hopefully our players are coming back excited, rested, focused, and ready for the challenge because each and every game will be tough. Every team we face is going to be a tough challenge. We have to put our best foot forward, be prepared, focused and the biggest thing is that we have to be able to play well because we are going to be playing ACC teams."

Redshirt junior forward Yacine Diop was the only other Panther with double figures in the scoring column (12), and junior center Kalista Walters was one point away from a double-double with nine points and 10 rebounds.

Pitt tied a season low for allowed points, matching its game against Cornell (Nov. 13) with 39, while forcing a season-high 28 turnovers.

There were two ties and one lead change in the first three minutes of the first quarter. Garven contributed six of the Panthers' first 16 points as Pitt ended the opening period with a 16-11 lead.

Pitt stretched its lead to 23-11 following a 7-0 run over the first six minutes of the second quarter. The Panthers did not allow a point in the period until Kyi English hit a three at the 4:39 mark (23-14). The Panthers out-scored the Bison 6-2 to end the quarter with a 29-16 advantage.

Back-to-back triples from freshman guard Pika Rodriguez helped Pitt reach its largest lead of the game, up 43-20, with 1:33 to go in the third quarter. The Panthers tied that lead twice more, at the 4:19 and 2:35 marks in the fourth quarter. Pitt held on for its sixth double-figure victory of the season, 57-39.

WITH THE WIN…