Pitt
9-10,1-5ACC
NC State
13-4,5-1ACC
Faye Records Career-High; Panthers Drop Battle With No. 21 NC State
1/16/2025 10:01:00 PM | Women's Basketball
RALEIGH – Despite a career-high 28 points from graduate center Khadija Faye, the Pitt women's basketball team fell to No. 21-ranked NC State, 83-67, Thursday evening at William Neal Reynolds Coliseum.
The Panthers (9-10, 1-5 ACC) were paced by Faye and junior guard Marley Washenitz, as the duo combined for 44 of the Panthers' 67 points. Redshirt sophomore guard Mikayla Johnson also had a solid performance, joining Washenitz and Faye in double figures with 11.
Pitt dominated down low as the Panthers outscored the Wolfpack, 36-22, in the paint. Individually, all five Pitt starters logged five or more rebounds for the first time this season.
Defensively, the Panthers limited NC State to just 35.3 percent shooting in the second period but were unable to overcome 13 Wolfpack triples.
How It Happened
Pitt and NC State exchanged baskets to open the contest, as the Panthers faced an 11-9 deficit at the under-five media timeout. After a Faye mid-range jumper tied the contest at 11, the Wolfpack went on a 10-0 spurt to take a 21-11 lead. Pitt outscored NC State, 5-2, to close the period and trailed 23-16 after 10 minutes of action.
After beating the first quarter buzzer with a triple from the left wing, Washenitz knocked down another three to open the second period. Miles then finished a contested layup to bring the Panthers within two (23-21) at the 9:06 mark. NC State responded, outscoring the Panthers 10-5 over the ensuing two minutes of play. Pitt then went on a 6-0 burst to even the ledger at 32. The two sides traded baskets to close the second frame, but NC State led, 39-35, at the halftime break.
NC State extended its lead to eight at the 5:46 mark of the third quarter. After a 30 second timeout by Pitt, Elmore buried a triple, making it a five-point game. The Wolfpack responded with an 8-2 run to go up 11 with under three minutes remaining in the frame. The two teams traded field goals for the remainder of the quarter as Pitt trailed, 63-54, entering the final period.
The Panthers and Wolfpack went back-and-forth for the first five minutes of the fourth quarter as NC State's nine-point lead remained intact. The Wolfpack then went on a blistering 11-0 run to go up by 20 at the 3:45 mark. Pitt continued to battle but ultimately fell, 83-67.
Game Notes
- Faye notched a new career-high with 28 points on 12-of-22 shooting from the floor.
- Washenitz tallied 16 points, including 13 in the first half.
- The Panthers outscored the Wolfpack, 36-22, in the paint.
- All five Pitt starters logged 5+ rebounds.
- Pitt recorded 15 assists on 25 made baskets, as six Panthers registered two or more assists.
Up Next
The Panthers return home to face No. 14 North Carolina on Sunday, Jan. 19. Tipoff is slated for 2 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on ACC Network.
