Pitt Falls Short in Season Opener to UCF

Wednesday, November 7

Pittsburgh, Pa.

11 AM

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UCF

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UCF

Pitt

Pitt Falls Short in Season Opener to UCF

11/7/2018 3:22:00 PM | Women's Basketball

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Panthers Fall to Knights, 61-58, in First Game of Season

PITTSBURGH – The University of Pittsburgh women's basketball team dropped its season opener to Central Florida, 61-58, Wednesday afternoon at the Petersen Events Center.

The Panthers controlled much of the game, leading for 29:48 (74.5 percent) of regulation, but a late push by UCF eventually resulted in defeat for Pitt.

The loss moves the Panthers to 30-14 in home openers, while snapping a three-game win streak during openers at the Petersen Events Center.

Redshirt senior Aysia Bugg led Pitt offensively with 14 points, followed by senior Cassidy Walsh with 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting overall, including a 3-of-5 performance from deep. Senior Kauai Bradley and junior Jasmine Whitney added nine points apiece in the contest, with Whitney dishing out a team-high six assists as well.

For the Knights, junior Kay Kay Wright scored a game-high 19 points on 8-of-17 shooting from the field. Senior Sydnee McDonald followed with 14 points, while redshirt senior Nyala Schuler led the squad in rebounding with 10 boards.

Both teams shot similarly from the field, with UCF finishing 23-of-57 (40.4 percent) overall, while Pitt finished 18-of-45 (40.0 percent) from the field. The Panthers led the Knights in threes (seven makes to five) and free throws (15 makes to 10), while also holding an advantage on the glass, 36-28. The turning point statistically in the matchup was turnovers, with Pitt committing 20 compared to UCF's seven.

The Panthers used strong defense in the opening quarter to jump out to an early lead, holding the Knight's to only one made field goal through the first 10 minutes of action. Pitt closed the first quarter holding a 12-5 lead, with Bugg and Bradley each chipping in four points for the Panthers.

Pitt continued to extend its lead to start the second quarter, using a quick 8-4 run to put the score at 20-9 with 7:20 left in the half following a three-pointer by Walsh. UCF would eventually find its rhythm offensively, capping off a 15-6 run by hitting a three-pointer with just two seconds remaining in the quarter to send Pitt into the half with only a 26-24 lead. At the break, Bugg led all scorers with nine points on 3-of-7 shooting from the field and a 2-of-4 mark from long range.

The Knights jumped out to a lead early in the third quarter, using a driving layup to take a 29-28 advantage. UCF would take a five point lead following a mid-range jumper with 6:36 left in the third, putting the score at 35-30, before Pitt would use a 15-3 run to regain the lead. The Panthers would head into the final quarter with a 47-41 advantage.

Pitt held onto a slight edge for a majority of the fourth before UCF evened the score at 54 with just 3:54 remaining in the game. From there, a back-and-forth ensued between the two teams. With 1:40 left in regulation, the squads were locked at 58 apiece, before a UCF free throw gave the Knights a lead they would hold onto for the remainder of the game. Pitt had a chance to even the score before time expired, owning possession with 19 seconds left while down three, but was unable to convert from beyond the arc before the clock hit zero's.

Up next, the Panthers will continue their four game homestand as they host New Orleans Friday, Nov. 9 at 4 p.m. at the Petersen Events Center.

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