Pitt Falls Short In Kyla Nelson's Return To The Court

Tuesday, December 17

Pittsburgh, Pa.

6:30 PM

Pitt

3-7,0-0ACC

Miami University (OH)

5-5,0-0MAC

Miami (OH)

Pittsburgh

Photo by: Alex Mowrey/Pitt Athletics

Pitt Falls Short In Kyla Nelson's Return To The Court

12/17/2019 10:33:00 PM | Women's Basketball

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PITTSBURGH – It was a very emotional night inside the Petersen Events Center on Tuesday night as junior Kyla Nelson made her return to the court for the Panthers after successful cancer surgery in October. Despite a 52-point second half effort by the offense, the Panthers weren't able to dig out of a first half hole, falling 80-71 to Miami (OH).

"A lot of today was about Kyla Nelson," said head coach Lance White. "It's such a great story and I'm so excited she's back. What an inspiration to so many people who have to battle cancer every day. To see somebody overcome it and get back on the court and get to play the sport that they love, I think that's such an inspiration and I think we've all been touched by somebody who's had it. For our team, we always talk about basketball being a vehicle for life and this is pretty much it right here beside me tonight."

Nelson played 13 minutes and finished with three points, two assists and a rebound in her first appearance this season after undergoing successful surgery to remove cancer of her appendix. The junior received a standing ovation from the Pitt crowd as she entered the game late in the first quarter.

The two teams went back-and-forth in the first quarter of action as the RedHawks were able to take the 19-14 lead into the second quarter as they closed the quarter on a 10-4 run. Gabbie Green and Marcella Lamark led the way for Pitt in the first quarter with four points each.

Pitt dug themselves a big hole in the second quarter as they began to struggle from the field, going just 2-for-11 in the second quarter. The Panthers posted five points in the quarter as they went to the halftime break trailing Miami (OH), 37-19.

The Panthers came out of the locker room strong once again on Tuesday night as they tried to get back into the game. They outscored Miami (OH) 23-16 as they were able to shoot 66.7% from the floor, led by Emy Hayford and Amber Brown who each scored seven points in the quarter to send Pitt to the fourth trailing by 11, 53-42.

Pitt began to turn up the pressure defensively in the final quarter and began knocking down their three-pointers to cut the deficit to just six, 57-51 with eight minutes to play as Green hit two triples and Lamark hit her first of the season. Back-to-back triples by Nelson and Ismini Prapa got Pitt within four, 57-61, but the RedHawks were able to hold the Panthers off down the stretch by knocking down their free throws and securing the 80-71 victory.

Green had a career night in the defeat as she went for 23 points and five rebounds across 36 minutes of work. The junior was very efficient from the floor as she went 10-for-17 overall while also connecting on three triples. Brown continued her consistent play on Tuesday night as she scored in double figures for the sixth straight game, finishing with 11 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals across 30 minutes of work. Making her first career start, Hayford netted seven points, five rebounds and two assists while Dayshanette Harris finished her night with six points, six rebounds and four assists.

For the game, Miami (OH) shot 48.4% from the floor while the Panthers shot 47% in the defeat. The RedHawks were able to turn their 12 offensive rebounds into 19 second chance points while also netting 23 points off Pitt's 18 turnovers.

NEXT UP

Pitt will close out their non-conference slate with a road game at Cincinnati on Dec. 21 at 2:00 pm.
After the holiday break, Pitt will open up ACC play at North Carolina on Monday, Dec. 30 at 2:00 pm.

PITT NOTES
TEAM

With the loss, Pitt falls 1-2 all-time against Miami (OH) and 21-11 all-time against opponents from the Mid-American Conference.
Pitt has now lost three games in a row for the first time this season.
The Panthers were held under 40 rebounds for the first time in their last seven outings.
Pitt shot a season-high 47% from the floor in the loss.

Gabbie Green

Finished off her career night with a career-best 23 points and five rebounds, three offensive, across a team-high 36 minutes of work.
She went 10-for-17 from the floor while connecting on three triples.
The 20-point effort marked the first of her Pitt career.
She has scored in double figures three times this season.
She now has three games with at least three triples this season.
The junior has five games with 30+ minutes so far this season.

Amber Brown

Finished off her night playing 30 minute while netting 11 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals.
Went 5-for-10 from the floor while dishing out a career-high three assists and notching a career-high three steals.
She has scored in double figures in six straight games.
She has now recorded four or more rebounds in all 10 of her career games.
She has grabbed 10+ rebounds five times this season.
Played 30+ minutes for the eighth time this season on Tuesday.