Pitt to Close Four-Game Home Stand Thursday Against New Hampshire

PITTSBURGH – The Pitt women's basketball team will conclude a four-game home stand Thursday when the Panthers host America East opponent New Hampshire at the Petersen Events Center.

Tipoff is slated for 2:30 p.m., and the game can be streamed via ACCNX.

Need to Know - Game 13
Pitt (6-6, 0-0 ACC) vs. New Hampshire (5-5, 0-0 AE)
Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024 - 2:30 p.m.
Pittsburgh, Pa. – Petersen Events Center

The Opening Tip
Faye's Dominance
Graduate center Khadija Faye has been the catalyst for Pitt on both ends of the floor, averaging 17.9 points and 11.1 rebounds per game. Faye currently ranks 12th nationally with six double-doubles this season, while ranking second in the country in offensive rebounds per game (5.8).

Solid Defense
Faye's impact has also been felt on the defensive end of the floor as she's averaging two blocks per contest, while anchoring the Panthers to a top 10 mark in the ACC in scoring defense (62.3).

Overcoming First Quarter Woes
As of late, the Panthers have struggled in the first quarter of games but have found a way to bounce back. Against Miami, Pitt shot 13.3 percent (2-for-15) in the first quarter but went 42.5 percent (17-for 40) in the second, third and fourth.

Series History

Thursday will mark the first-ever meeting between Pitt and New Hampshire.

Scouting the Wildcats

New Hampshire is off to a 5-5 start this season in the first year under head coach Megan Shoniker.
The Wildcats are led by star guard Eva DeChent, who averages a team-high 19.5 points per game.
Defensively, New Hampshire is holding its opponents to just 36.6 percent shooting from the field, while only allowing 55.9 points per contest.

Last Time Out - vs. Miami
Pitt dropped its ACC-opening game against Miami, 62-56, on Sunday afternoon in the Petersen Events Center.

Early shooting woes set Pitt behind Miami early, as the Panthers shot 13.3 percent (2-for-15) from the field in the first quarter. The Panthers came up empty on their first seven possessions before a Mikayla Johnson 3-pointer ended the cold streak. Miami opened with a 10-3 lead, knocking down three 3-pointers and forcing a Pitt timeout. A Marley Washenitz dish to Faye for a contested score in the paint marked a bright spot for the Panthers, who trailed 15-6 through the first ten minutes.

The Hurricanes raced out on a 10-3 run to start the second quarter, forcing another Panther timeout. Pitt responded with a 6-2 spurt following the break to chip into the Miami lead. With one minute remaining in the first half, MaKayla Elmore netted a 3-pointer, drew the foul and made her free throw to complete the four-point play. On the next offensive possession, Aaryn Battle drilled a 3-pointer to bring the Panthers back within 10. Pitt trailed at half, 32-22.

The Panthers carried their momentum into the second half, as Washenitz hit a jump shot off of an Elmore assist on the opening possession. On the following possession, Faye hit a fadeaway jump shot as the Panthers worked within six of the Canes. Miami extended its lead back to 11 before a Brooklynn Miles dribble drive and acrobatic layup brought the Panthers back within nine at 44-35. A Johnson right-wing 3-pointer from a Faye assist in the final minute of the third frame continued to close the gap as the Panthers trailed 48-44 through three quarters of play.

Aislin Malcolm knocked down a shot from behind the arc to open the Panthers fourth-quarter scoring. Elmore continued to work for the Panthers inside, as she collected a pass from Faye in the post and banked in a tough layup to bring Pitt within two at 55-53. Following traded buckets, both teams went the next three minutes without scoring. Pitt finished the game shooting 0-for-6 from the field to close the contest.

Season Tickets
Season tickets for the 2024-25 Pitt women's basketball season are on sale now through the Panthers Ticket Office. Season tickets can be purchased for $75 each. The Panthers' schedule promises another exciting campaign in the ACC, which boasts multiple nationally ranked foes.

Secure your new 2024-25 season tickets HERE. Season ticket holders from last season who want to renew their season tickets can log onto their account online and renew HERE. All seating in the Petersen Events Center will be General Admission, excluding VIP Courtside.

Up Next
The Panthers begin a three-game road swing Saturday, traveling to face Utah Tech. Tipoff is slated for 3 p.m. ET, and the game can be streamed via ESPN+.