Pitt
Louisville
Panthers Return to Petersen Events Center For Showdown With Louisville Thursday
1/8/2025 4:33:00 PM | Women's Basketball
PITTSBURGH – In the midst of a two-game skid, the Pitt women's basketball team will return home to face ACC foe Louisville on Thursday evening at the Petersen Events Center.
Tipoff is slated for 6:00 p.m., and the game can be streamed via ACCNX.
Need to Know - Game 17
Pitt (8-8, 0-3 ACC) vs. Louisville (10-5, 3-1 ACC)
Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 – 6:00 p.m.
Pittsburgh, Pa. – Petersen Events Center
The Opening Tip
Double Double Machine
Graduate center Khadija Faye has recorded six double doubles this season, which ranks 27th nationally. Faye is averaging 17.4 points and 9.7 rebounds per game. The Dakar, Senegal, native ranks in the top 50 nationally in seven statistical categories (Offensive Rebounds Per Game - 5th, Free Throw Attempts - 8th, Blocks - 11th, Blocks Per Game - 11th, Free Throws - 13th, Double Doubles - 27th and Rebounds - 45th). Faye also leads the ACC in offensive boards per contest at 4.9, while anchoring a Panther defense that allows only 63.0 points per 40 minutes - good for ninth in the league.
Getting to the Chalk
The Panthers have gotten to the charity stripe at a solid rate, ranking eighth in the ACC at 17.63 attempts per game. Faye has been the catalyst in that regard individually, ranking eighth nationally in free throw attempts. Of note, Pitt went perfect (13-of-13) from the free throw line against No. 13 Georgia Tech.
Halftime Adjustments
Pitt has been especially effective coming out of the halftime break this season. Overall, the Panthers are outscoring their opponents 283-224 (+59) in the third quarter of games.
Series History
- Thursday will mark the 30th all-time meeting between Pitt and Louisville, as the Cardinals lead the series, 27-2.
- Pitt has dropped 23 straight against Louisville, dating back to the 2010-11 campaign.
- In games played at the Petersen Events Center, the Panthers are 2-12 against the Cardinals.
- Pitt has dropped 23 straight against Louisville, dating back to the 2010-11 campaign.
Scouting the Cardinals
- Louisville has compiled a 10-5 record this season, including a 3-1 ledger in ACC play.
- The Cardinals are 5-1 on the road, with wins over Colorado and Boston College.
- Louisville has won four-straight, including an overtime victory over Wake Forest on Sunday evening.
- Against the Demon Deacons, junior forward Nyla Harris logged 18 points on 8-of-10 shooting from the field.
- Individually, Louisville is led by Jayda Curry and Tajianna Roberts, as they average a combined 23.9 points per contest.
- Olivia Cochran has also had a solid season thus far, averaging 10.7 points and 6.6 boards per game.
Last Time Out - at No. 14 Duke
Pitt fell to No. 14-ranked Duke, 69-31, Sunday at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C.
Duke opened the contest on a 7-0 run, but the Panthers immediately responded with a 7-2 spurt to pull within two at the 4:59 mark behind baskets from Washenitz, Faye and Johnson. After the media timeout, Duke closed the opening period with an 11-2 burst and led, 20-9, after 10 minutes of action.
The Blue Devils' full court press continued to suffocate Pitt's offensive attack as the Panthers were limited to just six points in the second frame.
Duke started the third period with nine consecutive points, before a layup from Faye opened the scoring for Pitt at the 5:34 mark. Of note, Faye's layup sparked a 6-2 burst from the Panthers; however, Pitt would be held scoreless for the remainder of the quarter.
The Panthers continued to fight down the stretch, but were unable to cut into the deficit, before ultimately falling, 69-31.
Up Next
The Panthers remain home, hosting SMU on Sunday, Jan. 12. Tipoff is slated for 1 p.m., and the game can be streamed via ACCNX.
