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North Florida
Panthers Drop Ospreys 61-35, Win Sixth Straight Home Opener
11/17/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 17, 2009
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PITTSBURGH — Chelsea Cole scored 14 points, Taneisha Harrison and Shayla Scott each added 11 and Pitt used a strong defensive effort to power past North Florida, 61-35, winning its sixth straight home opener here today at the Petersen Events Center.
Pitt (1-0) gave up an early North Florida (0-2) score, but clamped down defensively after that as the Panthers used a 12-0 run to take an early lead that they never relinquished.
The defense was impressive throughout the game, as the Panthers held the Ospreys to just 29.8 percent (14-of-47) shooting and outrebounded them 44-27. Pitt also forced North Florida into 27 turnovers for the game and didn’t allow a single player to score in double-figures. Jadhken Kerr led UNF with nine points.
“Our press was excellent,” Pitt Head Coach Agnus Berenato said. “In the second half we definitely picked up our pace and intensity, and that’s the type of team I like to see.”
After holding a 25-13 lead at the break, Pitt jumped on North Florida immediately in the second half. The Panthers came out strong offensively after the break and took a 46-17 lead eight minutes into the half. Scott (Monroeville, Pa./Gateway) connected on a layup on Pitt’s first possession and knocked down two 3-pointers just one minute apart to help add to the lead. Scott was 3-of-4 shooting in the second period of play.
“I think our defense helps create our offense,” Scott said. “It makes our offense flow easier.”
Cole (Lumberton, N.J./Rancocas Valley) was 6-of-8 shooting and added seven rebounds. A junior, Cole also added an assist, a block and a steal in 24 minutes. As a team, Pitt shot nearly 52 percent in the second half and finished the game with a 44 percent (26-of-59) clip from the field. Pitt guard Jania Sims (Newark, N.J./Shabazz) led all players with seven assists while center Kate Popovec (Canfield, Ohio/Canfield) led all players with nine rebounds.
“It goes back to our workouts over the summer and playing pickup every day,” Scott said. “Getting used to one another is something that will come along very soon. It has to. We need to develop this throughout practice with patience.”
It was a School Day promotion for Pitt, which aimed at bringing in students from several schools and districts around the city of Pittsburgh to watch the game. The promotion attracted nearly 4,300 fans.
“This was a double-win for us,” Berenato said. “It was a win on the court, making us 1-0, and as far as the School Day promotion, it was a good display of athletics and academics. That’s what we are all about.”
Up next for Pitt (1-0) is the University of Florida on Friday, Nov. 20. The Panthers and Gators are set for a 7 p.m. tipoff with a pregame ceremony honoring last season’s team and the raising of their 2008-09 Sweet 16 banner, the second in as many years for Pitt.
