Stout Defense Lifts Pitt Over Loyola Chicago, 59-35

Thursday, November 17

Pittsburgh, Pa.

7:00 PM

Pitt

Loyola Chicago

Stout Defense Lifts Pitt Over Loyola Chicago, 59-35

11/17/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball

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Nov. 17, 2016

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PITTSBURGH - Pitt women's basketball (3-0) limited Loyola Chicago (0-2) to 19.1 percent shooting with nine made field goals as the Panthers defeated the Ramblers, 59-35, Thursday evening at Petersen Events Center.

Loyola's 35 points are the fewest allowed by Pitt since a 53-35 win over Virginia Tech on Feb. 12, 2015. The Panthers held the Ramblers to just two made field goals in the second half, including zero made in the third quarter. Pitt shot 37.1 percent (23-of-62) from the field, 24.0 percent (6-of-25) from long range, and 77.8 percent (7-of-9) from the charity stripe.

Sophomore Brenna Wise and graduate transfer Brandi Harvey-Carr led the Panthers with 13 points and eight rebounds apiece. Sophomore Kauai Bradley had nine points and six rebounds while posting career highs of five steals and four assists. She also led the squad with three blocks. Classmate Kalista Walters had eight points and tied her career high of eight rebounds.

It was a slow start for both teams, as Pitt went 1-of-6 on its first seven attempts, but held the Ramblers to 0-of-5 from the field. The Panthers put seven unanswered points on the board as Loyola Chicago went without scoring until 5:52. Pitt reached a lead of 13 points (16-3) following a 9-1 run lasting until 1:42. After one quarter, the Panthers led 16-6, marking its fewest points allowed in the first period all season, and tying the fewest points allowed in any quarter all season (six, third quarter vs. Youngstown State, Nov. 14). Harvey-Carr posted five points and five rebounds in eight minutes played in the first period.

Loyola Chicago scored the first four points of the second quarter to cut the deficit to 16-10 at 7:59, and made it as close as four points away from tying the game, down 24-20 at 3:17. Walters made back-to-back layups to get Pitt back into a double-figure lead, up 30-20 with 1:05 remaining in the half. The Panthers held the Ramblers scoreless for the final 3:17 of the quarter, heading into halftime.

The Panthers posted seven unanswered points to begin the third quarter, and kept the Ramblers off the board until the 4:25 mark, when Brandi Segars made two free throws. All of Loyola's eight points in the third period were free throws, with zero made field goals.

Pitt rolled on offense in the fourth quarter, going on an 8-0 run over two minutes and reaching a largest margin of 27 points (59-30) with 3:58 remaining in the game. The Panthers allowed just two more field goals while securing their third consecutive victory, 59-35.

THE LAST TIME…

Pitt limited an opponent to 35 points or fewer: Feb. 12, 2015, versus Virginia Tech (W, 53-35)
A Panther had five or more steals: Feb. 28, 2016; Yacine Diop, five at Louisville

WITH THE WIN…

The Panthers earned a 3-0 record for the second consecutive year, and for the second time under fourth-year coach Suzie McConnell-Serio.
Pitt earned its longest home win streak (three games) since claiming 11 consecutive victories at Petersen Events Center spanning from Jan. 24, 2015, to Dec. 22, 2016.
The Panthers earned a 1-0 advantage in the all-time series with Loyola Chicago.

MILESTONES

Brandi Harvey-Carr: Pitt career-high 13 points, tied career-high eight rebounds
Kauai Bradley: career highs of five steals, four assists
Kalista Walters: tied career-high eight rebounds

EXPERIENCE THE ACTION

All individual tickets for Pitt women's basketball are general admission and available for purchase for $5 each by calling the Panthers Ticket Office at 800-643-7488 or by visiting PittsburghPanthers.com. Group tickets and season tickets are also on sale.

UP NEXT

The Panthers will continue their home stand by hosting Loyola Maryland (1-2) Monday at 7 p.m. ET at Petersen Events Center.

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