Pitt
13-7 (3-4ACC)
Duke
15-6 (6-2ACC)
Pitt Defeated by #17/16 Duke, 62-45
1/29/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
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DURHAM, N.C. - The University of Pittsburgh women's basketball team (13-7, 3-4 ACC) sustained a 62-45 loss to No. 17/16 Duke (15-6, 6-2 ACC) on Thursday night at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Despite forcing a season-high 25 turnovers, it was a tough shooting night for the Panthers who finished the game at 29 percent overall (18-of-62). The Blue Devils' length and 2-3 zone disrupted the Panthers all night and forced Pitt into 7-of-29 shooting from long range.
Duke also controlled the boards and held a 44-26 advantage on the glass. Pitt was outscored 34-16 in the paint. `
Duke took an 8-5 lead into the first media timeout, but then used an 11-3 run which resulted in a Suzie McConnell-Serio timeout at the 12:04 mark with the Blue Devils ahead 19-8. Duke scored 14 of its first 19 points in the paint.
The Panthers forced seven early turnovers, but Duke held Pitt to 4-of-16 shooting to open the game. The Panthers were 8-of-29 overall in the first half, and despite back-to-back triples from Brianna Kiesel and Fred Potvin to end the half, Duke led 36-20 at the break.
Kiesel scored 10 of Pitt's 20 points in the opening stanza, and in the process went over 1,700 career points. However, Duke held Pitt to zero second chance point by out-rebounding the Panthers 22-13 and 18 of those came on the defensive glass.
Out of the locker room, Pitt held Duke to 2-of-7 shooting and turned the Blue Devils over nine times, but the tough shooting night continued and Duke ran its lead to 46-29 with 10:26 remaining.
There would be no quit in the Panthers though, and a driving layup from Stasha Carey made in 48-35 with 8:01 left; however, the Blue Devils scored the next eight points to extend its lead to 56-35 after a steal and layup from Ka'lia Johnson with just over six minutes remaining.
Kiesel finished with 13 points, while Potvin provided a spark off the bench with 11. Monica Wignot and Yacine Diop finished with a team-high five rebounds, while Wignot added eight points and Diop six.
The Blue Devils had three players in double-figures, while two of them, Azura Stevens (14 points, 12 rebounds) and Oderah Chidom (10 points, 10 rebounds) went for double-doubles.
The Panthers return to action this Sunday at the Petersen Events Center when they host the 15-5 Miami Hurricanes. Tip is set for 1 p.m.
