Pitt
Arizona (Arizona Tournament)
Pittsburgh Upsets Wildcats in Arizona Basketball Classic Thriller, 81-80
12/2/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 2, 2001
TUCSON, Ariz.-Behind Brooke Stewart's 23 points, including five 3-pointers, the University of Pittsburgh women's basketball team upset host-Arizona, 81-80, in the consolation game of the Arizona Basketball Classic on Sunday afternoon. Stewart was named all-tournament team for her efforts, finishing the tourney averaging 19.5 points per game.
With Pittsburgh holding a 56-42 advantage with 13:51 remaining in the contest, the momentum quickly switched hands as Wildcat guard Julie Brase was taken off the court on a stretcher with a back injury.
Following the 10-minute delay, Arizona came out inspired and embarked on a 30-15 run to take a 72-71 lead with 3:44 left in the game. The Wildcats looked as if they had control of the game, extending its lead to 80-71 with just 2:22 remaining.
However, the Panthers roared back with 10 unanswered points to secure the victory. Junior Laine Selwyn chipped in two consecutive shots in just 15 seconds and the rest of the contest belonged to senior Bettina Love.
Love connected on two free throws with 1:12 left to pull Pittsburgh to within three points, 80-77. After a missed foul shot by Jessica Ryndycz, Love jumped in the lane and put back the uncontested misfire-Arizona thought it was a two-shot foul instead of a one-and-one-and followed with the game-winning shot with 19 seconds remaining to cap off the upset.
Love finished with 12 points in just 14 minutes, shooting 4 of 6 from the field. Selwyn added 21 points, 10 assists, six boards and four steals for Pittsburgh, while freshman Haley Harguth drained four three-pointers en route to 12 points.
Pittsburgh shot 43 percent from the field while the Wildcats finished shooting 49 percent. Both teams committed 31 turnovers, but the Panthers won the war on the glass, grabbing 42 rebounds to Arizona's 36.
Dee-Dee Wheeler and Robin Roberson paced the Wildcats with 20 points apiece.
Pittsburgh (3-3) opens Big East play on Wednesday as it hosts Virginia Tech. Game time is slated for 5:30, preceding the men's contest.
