University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt
Syracuse
Pittsburgh Falls to Syracuse, 75-71
1/26/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 26, 2002
PITTSBURGH-Despite a fourth straight double-double performance from junior Laine Selwyn, the University of Pittsburgh women's basketball team fell to Syracuse in a heartbreaker, 75-71, Saturday night at Fitzgerald Field House. The Panthers dropped their fifth consecutive contest, slipping to 6-13 overall and 1-7 in the Big East.
Selwyn finished with a season-high 23 points (9-of-14 shooting) and pulled down a career-best 11 boards. She also dished out seven assists and added one steal on the night.
Pittsburgh raced out to 12-point lead, 25-13, with 9:56 remaining in the first half and closed the initial 20 minutes with a 37-34 advantage.
In the second half, the Panthers upped their lead back to 13 points (54-41) before the Orangewomen came storming back. Syracuse used a 20-6 run to take their first lead of the game, 61-60, with 5:29 to go in the game. Pittsburgh responded with a short 7-2 spurt to grab a 67-63 lead with just over three minutes remaining.
However, the Orangewomen muscled their way to an 11-1 run, giving them a 74-68 cushion with 10 seconds left. After a Selwyn 3-pointer, Syracuse secured the victory with a Julie McBride free throw.
Bettina Love added a season-best 18 points for Pittsburgh, including 7 of 9 from the field, and tallied four blocks. Jessica Ryndycz poured in a career-high 10 points and pulled down five rebounds.
Pittsburgh outshot the Orangewomen, 47 percent to 46 percent, but Syracuse controlled the glass, 39-33. The Panthers committed 18 turnovers to the Orangewomen's 21.
Shannon Perry registered a game-high 28 points and also snared 11 boards to lead Syracuse.
Pittsburgh takes a week off before traveling to Miami to take on the Hurricanes next Saturday, Feb. 2. Game time is set for 3 p.m. at the Knight Sports Complex.
