Panthers Kick Off Three-Game Homestand With #15 Georgia Tech Tuesday

PITTSBURGH – The Pitt women's basketball team (9-5, 0-3 ACC) opens up a three-game homestand on Tuesday night as they welcome #15 Georgia Tech (11-3, 2-1 ACC) to the Petersen Events Center for a 6:00 pm tip on ACC Network Extra.

TUESDAY'S GAME PROMOTION

New Year, New Gear – During timeouts on Tuesday, Pitt athletics will be giving out new gear for select fans in attendance.

HOW TO FOLLOW

Tuesday's game will air live on ACC Network Extra with Jeff Hathhorn and Hailey Zeise on the call. You can watch the game by clicking HERE.
You can also listen to the game on the radio on WJAS 1320 AM or 99.1 FM as the voice of Pitt women's basketball, Josh Rowntree, will have the call from Louisville starting at 5:45 pm. Listen to the call by clicking HERE.
Live stats of the game can be found by clicking HERE.
Live updates throughout the game will also be posted on Twitter by following the Pitt women's basketball account @Pitt_WBB.

THE SERIES WITH GEORGIA TECH

This marks the 11^th meeting of all-time between the two programs with the Yellow Jackets holding the 7-3 advantage in the series.
Georgia Tech have won four straight in the series including a 65-60 home victory over the Panthers last season in Atlanta.
Pitt is 1-3 all-time against the Yellow Jackets in Pittsburgh with their lone win coming on Jan. 14, 2018.

STORYLINES

The Panthers have continued to put an emphasis on rebounding the basketball and it has paid off in a major way. Pitt currently ranks 8th in the NCAA rebounds per game (45.8), 8th in defensive rebounds per game (30.8) and 17th in total rebounds (641). The Panthers have recorded at least 37 rebounds in 14 straight games to start the season, a new program record.
Pitt has been able to get to the free throw line at a high rate as they rank 11th in the NCAA in free throw attempts (314) while ranking 30th in free throws made (200). Junior Amber Brown leads the ACC and ranks 28th in the NCAA in free throw attempts (78).

THE OPENING TIP

The Panthers will return home for their first of three straight at the Pete Tuesday night as they welcome #15 Georgia Tech for a 6:00 pm tip on ACC Network Extra.
This marks the first time in program history the Panthers have opened ACC play facing four straight ranked opponents (#2 NC State, #3 Louisville, #16 Georgia Tech, #21 Notre Dame)
Sophomore Taisha Exanor is beginning to step up her play of late as she is averaging 9.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.0 steals across 24.3 minutes in her last three games. She has earned a career-high three starts this season while averaging career-highs in all statistical categories for the Panthers.

LAST TIME OUT – AT #3 LOUISVILLE

The Panthers returned to the court after a 15-day hiatus and fell on the road to #3 Louisville, 81-39.
Pitt turned over the ball a season-high 35 times which led to 32 points bu the Cardinals.
Junior Emy Hayford led the way with eight points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals. Rita Igbokwe snagged a season-high 14 rebounds (six offensive) to go along with six points and two blocks in 24 minutes of work off the bench.
Louisville was able to shoot 40% from the floor while Pitt was held to just 25.9% shooting in the loss.

IGBOKWE CONTINUES TO GROW

Junior center Rita Igbokwe has made huge strides on the offensive end of the court and she will be relied on to provide scoring down low for Pitt this season.
On the season, Igbokwe is averaging a career-high 20.1 mpg, 6.1 ppg, 6.9 rpg and 1.6 bpg while shooting 44.6% from the floor.
Last time out, Igbokwe finished with six points, a season-high 14 rebounds and two blocks at #3 Louisville.
Igbokwe erupted in the win over Lafayette as she posted a career-high 23 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks in 26 minutes of work. She also went an efficient 11-of-15 from the floor in the win. It marked her third career double-double.
She has grabbed at least five rebounds in 11 of 14 games this season while posting 10+ rebounds three. She has 11 career games with double digit rebounds.
Igbokwe posted her 100th career block in her 58th career game Wednesday against Rutgers. She is the third fastest player in program history to 100 career blocks and the fastest since Gail Aughburns during the 1979-80 season.

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