Pitt
(8-3)
Youngstown State
(10-1)
Defense, Balance Helps Pitt Defeat Youngstown State, 78-52
12/21/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
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PITTSBURGH - With five players scoring in double figures, the University of Pittsburgh women's basketball team cruised past previously unbeaten Youngstown State 78-52 on Sunday afternoon at the Petersen Events Center.
Cora McManus, Chelsea Welch and Yacine Diop all contributed a team-high 12 points, while Brianna Kiesel had 11 and Monica Wignot 10. Kiesel also had a career-high 10 assists for her first double-double of the season and the seventh of her career. It was the first time she has ever had a double-double with points and assists, and she did not turn the ball over today.
The win moves the Panthers to 8-3 overall and extends their home winning streak to seven; the second longest streak in Petersen Events Center history. Pitt can tie the record which was set in 2008-09 with a win next Sunday. Youngstown State is now 10-1 this season.
Today's balanced effort was the first time since December 29, 2012 vs. Buffalo that Pitt had five players score in double-figures.
Pitt's defense stifled the Penguins all afternoon as the Panthers held YSU to a season-low 25.8 percent shooting (17-of-66). The Panthers, conversely, shot 42.3 percent (30-of-71) and assisted on 24 of their 30 made field goals while only committing seven turnovers the entire day.
"This was a great team win because everybody made contributions," head coach Suzie McConnell-Serio said. "We wanted to be aggressive right from the beginning because Youngstown State is a team that finds ways to win. Heidi Schlegel is a great post player and our focus was to limit her opportunities. I thought Cora McManus was tremendous today. She has really perfected that turn-around jumper and she uses her body well in the paint. I was proud of the way she performed today."
The Panthers built an early advantage behind 3-of-4 shooting from long range and led 19-13 at the under 12 media time of the opening half.
McManus' basket, which gave the Panthers their 19-13 advantage, was the start of a 13-0 run as Pitt took a commanding 30-13 lead with 7:51 remaining. This was the third straight game the Panthers have used a huge first half run to gain control of the game (28-3 vs. Drexel, 12-1 vs. Ball State).
The Panthers led 38-21 at the break and held Youngstown State to 21.2 percent shooting in the half. Pitt has now outscored its opponents by 113 points in the first half and has been leading at the break in eight of 11 games this season.
Pitt started the second half on an 8-2 run and a jumper from Aysia Bugg gave Pitt a 46-23 advantage and forced YSU head coach John Barnes into a timeout with 15:54 remaining.
The Panthers' lead would not dip below 15 for the remainder of the game, and its largest advantage of 26 points came at the 3:57 mark when Welch drained a baseline jumper.
Defense has been driving the Panthers of late as Pitt has allowed no more than 53 points in each of its last three contests and is now averaging just 60.3 points against this season.
Game four of a seven game home stand will take place next Sunday, December 28, when Pitt hosts in-state foe Saint Francis at the Petersen Events Center with tip set for 2 p.m.
