University of Pittsburgh Athletics
11/3/2026 9:34:00 PM | Women's Basketball
PITTSBURGH – Pitt women's basketball head coach Robin Harmony led the Panthers to a 81-51 season-opening win over Saint Peter's in her first game at the helm. Taryn Barbot and Meredith Venner both reached the 20-point mark in the victory with Venner just one rebound off an opening-night double-double.
Venner scored the first points of the 2026-27 season for the Panthers, converting two shots from the charity stripe. Venner added to her early total with a traditional three-point play and a second chance layup on the following trip down the court to give Pitt a 10-4 lead.
Sophomore Maysen Hill and seniors Taylor and Taryn Barbot also got in on the first quarter scoring for the Panthers as they held a 16-11 advantage after the first 10 minutes of action in the Petersen Events Center.
Jamisen Hill and Ande'a Cherisier started the scoring in the second quarter for the Panthers as they came off the bench.
Venner helped extend Pitt's lead racking up 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting from the floor and a perfect 4-for-4 from the line in 16 minutes of action in the opening half.
Pitt (1-0) outscored the Peacocks 27-12 in the third quarter to draw their lead out to 30 with 10 minutes to play. The Panthers went 9-of-14 from the floor in the third stanza, making their last five attempts from the floor in the quarter.
Venner and Taryn combined for 19 of the Panthers 27 points in the frame.
Pitt upped the defense pressure after the break as well, forcing the Peacocks into six turnovers in the third quarter.
Taryn added seven points in the final quarter while Cherisier added four off the bench.
Jazmyne Bynum and Madison Crawford made their debuts in the Blue and Gold in the fourth quarter.
Fueled by 23 second chance points, Pitt scored the 81-52 victory to move to 1-0 on the year.
DEFENSIVE PRESSURE
The Panthers scored 26 points off turnovers in the game while allowing just four. Pitt posted 20 steals on the night. It's the first time the Panthers have recorded 15 or more steals since a November 2024 matchup with Delaware State.
SECOND HALF HEATER
Taryn found her rhythm in the second half, shooting 6-of-10 from the floor with two three pointers in the full 20 minutes.
Up Next
Pitt continues its season-opening homestand Saturday against Long Island. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. with the action airing on ACC Network Extra.
