Pitt
Syracuse
Panthers Fall to Syracuse in Overtime, 87-80
2/2/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 2, 2010
Box Score | Quotes | Notes
PITTSBURGH — Shayla Scott scored a career-high 21 points and three other Pitt players scored in double-figures, but the Panthers couldn’t hold off a tough Syracuse team and lost in overtime, 87-80.
Pitt jumped out to a quick, 14-4 lead immediately out of the gate before Syracuse eventually fought back in what became a high-scoring first half of play. Junior guard Jania Sims scored 13 first-half points as Scott added nine to help the Panthers to a 42-38 lead at the break.
Pitt led for the final 6:19 of the first half in a game that featured nine lead changes and 13 ties. The Panthers had 10 assists on their 14 first-half field goals and finished the game with 15 assists.
“We played a good first half,” Pitt head coach Agnus Berenato said. “We felt like we were in command and in charge…I think that it came down to the fact that we couldn’t get a couple of stops. We didn’t have it at the end of the game.”
Syracuse knotted the score two minutes into the second half and the two teams exchanged baskets throughout the period. With 30 seconds remaining in the game, Pitt took possession with the score tied at 72, holding for the last shot. Sims’ jumper from just left of the free throw line bounced off the front of the rim, and the game went into overtime.
Syracuse struck first in the extra period and didn’t look back, outscoring the Panthers 15-8 in overtime. After committing nine turnovers in the first half, the Panthers finished the game with 24 on the night. The Orange scored 27 points off of those turnovers.
Scott added 10 rebounds to her 21 points for her second double-double of the season, while Sims finished with 18 points, knocking down 9-of-10 free throws along the way and added a game-high six assists. Brittaney Thomas and center Pepper Wilson contributed 14 and 10 points, respectively. Scott also had success from the free throw line, knocking down 7-of-8 attempts.
Chelsea Cole, the Big East’s second-leading rebounder per game entering the night, pulled down 10 rebounds. The junior forward has now reached double-digit rebounds in 10 games this season.
The Panthers (12-9, 1-7 Big East) are back in action on Saturday, Feb. 6 when they travel to Notre Dame to face the Fighting Irish. Pitt will then return home to play Georgetown on Feb. 10 at the Petersen Events Center. Tipoff for Saturday’s game is set for 2 p.m., while action against the Hoyas will begin at 7 p.m.
