Panthers Ready For First Of Two Meetings Against Syracuse Sunday On The Road

PITTSBURGH – The Pitt women's basketball team (11-9, 2-7 ACC) looks to string a pair of ACC victories together Sunday afternoon as they travel to Syracuse to battle the Orange on ACC Network at 12:00 pm. The Panthers are searching for their 12^th win of the season which would mark the most wins since head coach Lance White took over the program in 2018-19.

HOW TO FOLLOW

Sunday's game will air live on ACC Network with Jenn Hildreth and Kelly Gramlich on the call. You can watch the game by clicking HERE.
You can also listen to the game on the radio on WJAS 1320 AM or 99.1 FM as the voice of Pitt women's basketball, Josh Rowntree, will have the call from Louisville starting at 11:45 am. Listen to the call by clicking HERE.
Live stats of the game can be found by clicking HERE.
Live updates throughout the game will also be posted on Twitter by following the Pitt women's basketball account @Pitt_WBB.

THE SERIES WITH SYRACUSE

This meeting marks the 67^th game between the two programs with the Orange owning the dominant 47-19 lead in the all-time series. The 67 games against Syracuse are the most against any opponent in program history for Pitt.
The Orange have won 20 straight games against the Panthers in the all-time series including 10 straight games in Syracuse.
The Panthers last win against the Orange came on Jan. 24, 2009.

ABOUT THE ORANGE

Syracuse enters Sunday's game with an 8-10 overall record and a 1-7 ACC mark so far this season. The Orange have lost six straight conference games.
The Orange are the only team in the ACC with five players averaging in double figures so far this season. They are led offensively by Teisha Hyman who ranks fifth in the ACC in scoring (15.4 ppg) while adding 5.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.6 steals per game. She is also shooting 45.7% from the floor.
Chrislyn Carr is enjoying a nice season as she is averaging 14.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists across 18 starts while Alaysia Styles is leading the squad in rebounding (6.5 rpg) and adding 10.5 ppg.
As a team, the Orange average 73.8 points per game while they allow 70.4 points per contest.

STORYLINES

The Panthers have continued to put an emphasis on rebounding the basketball and it has paid off in a major way. Pitt currently leads the ACC and ranks 8th in the NCAA in rebounds per game (44.4) and 6th in total rebounds (888). The Panthers have recorded at least 35 rebounds in 20 straight games to start the season, a new program record.
Pitt has been able to get to the free throw line at a high rate as they rank 5th in the NCAA in free throw attempts (420) while ranking 23rd in free throws made (268). Junior Amber Brown leads the ACC and ranks 24th in the NCAA in free throw attempts (108).

THE OPENING TIP

The Panthers hit the road for Syracuse Sunday afternoon as they take on the Orange at 12pm on ACC Network.
Junior center Rita Igbokwe is playing at a high level on the glass and defensively as she has back-to-back games with 12+ rebounds and ranks 3rd in the ACC in offensive rebounds per game (3.1 orpg). She ranks 3rd in the ACC in blocks (40) and is currently riding a 13-game block streak, the longest in the ACC.
Last time out, three Panthers netted at least 15 points, Dayshanette Harris (16), Jayla Everett (15) and Amber Brown (15) it marked the third time under White Pitt had three players net at least 15 points.

LAST TIME OUT AT CLEMSON (1/27/22)

The Panthers had four players score in double figures as they outlasted Clemson in overtime on the road to collect the 78-73 victory.
The win gives Pitt three straight wins over Clemson, marking the first three-game winning streak against an ACC opponent since Virginia (2013-17).
Dayshanette Harris led all Pitt players with 16 points, four assists and three steals while Jayla Everett had 15 points, four boards and three assists. Amber Brown chipped in with 15 points and nine boards in the win.
Pitt overcame a 10-point deficit, the biggest this season, to claim the victory. It marked the biggest deficit the Panthers have overcome to win in an ACC game since Dec. 13, 2020 against Clemson (14 point deficit).

MAGIC NUMBER: 70

The Pitt offense is continuing to gel as the season moves along and when they can score at least 70 points, they are hard to beat.
So far this season, the Panthers are 5-0 when they score at least 70 points including last time out at Clemson. Overall under Coach White, Pitt is 16-6 (.727) when scoring 70 or more points.
When the Panthers score less than 70 points this season, they own a record of 6-9. Overall under Coach White, Pitt is 16-61 (.208).
When Pitt holds their opponents to under 70 points, they own a 10-2 record (.833) this year and a 26-25 (.510) overall record under Coach White.

DEFENSE STEPPING UP

So far this season, Pitt is holding opponents to just 36.2% from the floor.
Pitt ranks 6th in the ACC and 39th in the NCAA in field goal percentage defense this season.
The Panthers have held all 20 opponents this season to 45% or less shooting from the floor. It marks the first time in program history they have opened the season with 20 straight games holding opponents to 45% or less shooting.
Pitt is one of four Power 5 teams this season that have held all 20 opponents to 45% or less shooting this season. The others are Tennessee (#1 FG% def.), Georgia Tech (#2 FG% def) and South Carolina (#4 FG% def).
The Panthers have held four opponents to 30% or less shooting from the floor this season. It marks the most such games since 2017-18 when Pitt held four opponents to less than 30% from the floor in 30 games played.
Pitt has held 13 of 20 opponents to less than 40% from the floor, the most through 20 games since 2017-18 (14 of 19 opponents).

NEXT UP

Pitt will return home for their next game as they welcome Duke to the Petersen Events Center on Thursday night for a 6:00 pm tip on ACC Network Extra.

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