Pitt
7-6,0-1ACC
New Hampshire
5-6,0-0America East
Panthers Rout New Hampshire, 94-39, in Sixth-Largest Victory in Program History
12/19/2024 5:33:00 PM | Women's Basketball
PITTSBURGH – The Pitt women's basketball team overpowered New Hampshire in a commanding 94–39 win on Thursday afternoon in the Petersen Events Center to mark the sixth-largest victory in program history. In their penultimate non-conference game of the season, the Panthers were led by junior guard Marley Washenitz, who had a career-high 20 points on 4-of-5 shooting from behind the arc.
Pitt's (7-6, 0-1 ACC) stifling press defense caused chaos in the contest, forcing 24 New Hampshire (5-6, 0-0 America East Conference) turnovers, leading to 42 Panther points off turnovers and 26 fast break points.
Adding offense for Pitt was Mikayla Johnson, who tacked on a career-high 21 points on 9-of-17 shooting. Aaryn Battle added 12 points off the bench on an efficient 5-of-7 shooting. Court general Brooklynn Miles paced Pitt with eight assists and 10 points on 3-of-5 shooting.
The Panthers shot a season-high 56 percent (35-for-63) from the field and shot 55 percent (11-for-20) from 3-point land. Pitt made 13 shots from the chalk on 19 attempts and only trailed for 2:14 in the contest.
Pitt outrebounded UNH 40 to 31, leading to 11 second chance Panther points. Pitt outscored New Hampshire in a dominant 42-14 fashion in the paint.
How It Happened
Washenitz buried a 3-point shot for the Panthers to open the contest, but Pitt trailed 6-3 after New Hampshire started the game 3-for-3 from the field. Pitt forced five turnovers en route to a 15-0 run in under two minutes to retake and extend its lead to 20-9. Pitt led 27–14 after the first quarter and was led by Johnson and Washenitz, who both had 10 in the frame. The 27 first-quarter points is tied for the most points scored in the first quarter this season for the Panthers.
Pitt went on a scorching 13-5 run to open the second quarter, holding New Hampshire to making just one of its first nine shots. Pitt was led by MaKayla Elmore's six points on 2-of-3 shooting in the quarter, including a deep 3-pointer to beat the shot clock to extend its lead to 20 at 45-25. Battle added five points on 2-for-2 shooting and two rebounds in six minutes off the bench for the Panthers, who led 46-25 at halftime.
After scoring on their first possession of the second half, Pitt held New Hampshire scoreless for over two minutes to extend its lead to 51-27. The Panthers rallied around their defense as they went on an 18-0 run behind 8-of-8 shooting over 5:24 in the third quarter to take a commanding 65-27 lead. Pitt's 28 points scored in the frame marks its most points scored in any quarter this season. Pitt outscored New Hampshire 19-11 in the fourth quarter to seal the contest, including four Raeven Boswell points off the bench.
Game Notes
- The 55-point win marks the sixth-largest victory in program history.
- Pitt's 28 third-quarter points is the most it has scored in a quarter this season, beating its 27-point first quarter on 11/5/24 vs. Canisius.
- Mikayla Johnson had a career-high 21 points. Her previous career high was 14, set on 11/28/24 vs. Kansas.
- Marley Washenitz had a career-high 20 points. Her previous career high was 13, set on 12/10/23 vs. Lehigh.
Up Next
Pitt closes its non-conference campaign by traveling to Utah Tech for the first-ever meeting between the two sides on Saturday, Dec. 21. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. ET, and the game can be streamed on ESPN+.
