Pitt Primed for Non-Conference Finale at Utah Tech

PITTSBURGH – Coming off arguably its best performance of the season thus far, the Pitt women's basketball team will travel to face Utah Tech on Saturday evening at Burns Arena in St. George, Utah.

Tipoff is slated for 3:00 p.m. ET, and the game can be streamed via ESPN+.

Need to Know - Game 14
Pitt (7-6, 0-1 ACC) vs. Utah Tech (4-8, 0-0 WAC)
Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024 - 3:00 p.m. ET
St. George, Utah – Burns Arena

The Opening Tip
Defense Leads the Way
Pitt earned the sixth largest victory in program history Thursday against New Hampshire behind a stifling press defense. The Panthers forced 24 New Hampshire turnovers, leading to 42 Panther points off turnovers and 26 fast break points.

Balanced Attack
In the penultimate non-conference game of the season, Pitt was led by junior guard Marley Washenitz, who had a career-high 20 points on 4-of-5 shooting from behind the arc. 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.

Stellar Shooting
In the win over New Hampshire, the Panthers shot a season-high 56 percent (35-for-63) from the field and 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.

Faye's Dominance
Graduate center Khadija Faye has been the catalyst for Pitt on both ends of the floor, averaging 16.9 points and 10.9 rebounds per game. Faye currently leads the ACC in offensive rebounds per game at 5.5. Her impact has also been felt on the defensive end, as she's averaging two blocks per contest - while anchoring the Panthers to a top 10 mark in the ACC in scoring defense (60.5).

Series History

Saturday will mark the first-ever meeting between Pitt and Utah Tech.

Scouting the Trailblazers

Utah Tech is off to a 4-8 start this season and in the midst of a four-game losing streak.
The Trailblazers attempt over 30 3-pointers per game, while shooting at a 30 percent clip as a team.
Individually, Utah Tech is paced by Chardonnay Hartley, who averages 13.1 points and 6.4 assists per game.
Aaliyah Ibarra and Emily Isaacson also contribute significantly, combining to average 24.4 points per contest.

Last Time Out - vs. New Hampshire
Pitt 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.

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 was 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 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 marked 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 Boswell points off the bench.

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
Following Saturday's clash with the Trailblazers, Pitt will take an eight-day hiatus before resuming ACC play against Georgia Tech on Sunday, Dec. 29.