Pitt
4-3
Michigan
7-0
Pitt Falls to Michigan in Big Ten/ACC Challenge
12/3/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
BOX SCORE | SEASON STATISTICS | PHOTO GALLERY
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - A career-high 26 points from sophomore Yacine Diop was not enough as the University of Pittsburgh women's basketball team fell in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge to Michigan 82-45 on Thursday night at the Crisler Center.
Diop made 12-of-15 shots and also added eight rebounds. Michigan though, who entered the game ranked second nationally in field goal percentage, shot 51.5 percent (34-of-66) and was led by Katelynn Flaherty who had 24.
Michigan's full court pressure bothered the Panthers all night and forced Pitt into a season high 24 turnovers. Michigan converted those turnovers into 26 points.
The Panthers (4-3) had five early turnovers which helped Michigan (7-0) lead 10-6 at the first media timeout of the game.
Diop, who had four points, three rebounds and two steals in the first five minutes, also picked up two player control fouls and had to go to the bench early on, as did Stasha Carey who picked up two quick fouls. As a result, Michigan led 22-13 at the end of the first quarter.
UM opened the second quarter on a 9-0 run which forced a Pitt timeout with the Wolverines leading 31-13.
Diop re-entered the game and did all she could to keep Pitt in the contest, scoring all 11 of the Panthers' second quarter points, but turnovers continued to be an issue and Michigan led 46-24 at halftime.
Michigan made 10-of-15 shots in the second quarter and was 61.3 percent from the floor overall in the opening half. Diop led Pitt with 15 points at the break on a perfect 7-of-7 shooting.
The Wolverines continued their hot shooting out of the locker room and pulled away from the Panthers in the second half, leading by 29 at the end of the third.
Diop scored seven points in the fourth quarter to surpass her previous career high of 22 points which she set last season as a freshman.
The Panthers will return to action this Sunday at the Petersen Events Center when they host Holy Cross at 3 p.m.
