Pitt
(16-8,6-5ACC)
Virginia Tech
(10-15,1-11ACC)
Pitt's Defense Stifles Virginia Tech in 53-35 Win
2/12/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
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PITTSBURGH - The University of Pittsburgh women's basketball team (16-8, 6-5 ACC) defeated Virginia Tech (10-15, 1-11 ACC) by the score of 53-35 on Thursday night at the Petersen Events Center.
The Panthers allowed a season-low 35 points and held the Hokies to just 24.5 percent shooting for the game (13-of-53). Brianna Kiesel scored 21 points, marking the 12th time this season she has gone for 20+, and also added six rebounds, four assists and three steals.
Monica Wignot and Yacine Diop led the defensive charge as Wignot tallied a career-high five steals, while Diop had nine rebounds and three blocks, both of which were team highs.
"What a great team win tonight," head coach Suzie McConnell-Serio said. "We didn't know if we were going to have Brianna Kiesel, but our team did not miss a beat. For Brianna to have that performance after not touching a ball for the last two days is incredible. We didn't know what we were going to get from her, but once her adrenalin got going she was unstoppable."
Kiesel carried the Panthers in the beginning of the game by scoring 11 of Pitt's first 13 points. With the Hokies leading 14-8, Kiesel showed her range by connecting on a deep triple with the shot clock running out (her third 3 of the game). She then had a steal and layup which got the Panthers within one at the under 12 media timeout.
Besides Kiesel, the rest of the team started just 1-of-12, but shook off the sluggish start and ended the half on an 11-0 run which gave the Panthers a 24-18 lead at the break.
With Pitt trailing 18-13, Diop scored back-to-back buckets, followed by a layup from Chelsea Welch which gave the Panthers their first lead since it was 3-0. Kiesel scored the next four and Stasha Carey capped off the run with a free throw.
Kiesel finished the half with 15 points. Pitt held Virginia Tech without a basket for the final 6:48 of the opening stanza.
The Panthers scored the first four points of the locker room to cap off what would ultimately be a 15-0 run.
Kiesel continued to lead the way and her fourth 3-pointer of the game gave Pitt a 40-25 advantage with 13:32 remaining.
Pitt's largest lead of the game reached 20 points when Cora McManus connected on her signature turn-around jumper in the paint which gave the Panthers a 46-26 cushion.
The Panthers shot 40 percent for the game and turned 18 Virginia Tech turnovers in 18 points. Pitt is 13-3 at home this season and Coach McConnell-Serio picked up her 150th career win this evening.
VT's Taijah Campbell led the Hokies in both points (11) and rebounds (15).
The Panthers are back on the road this weekend for a game at Wake Forest on Sunday, Feb. 15. Tip is set for 2 p.m. in Winston Salem.
