Pitt
8-6,0-1ACC
Utah Tech
4-9,0-0WAC
Panthers Close Non-Conference Play With 61-52 Win Over Utah Tech
12/21/2024 5:47:00 PM | Women's Basketball
ST. GEORGE, Utah – The Pitt women's basketball team closed non-conference play with a 61-52 victory over Utah Tech Saturday evening at Burns Arena in St. George, Utah.
With the win, the Panthers (8-6, 0-1 ACC) matched last season's win total (8) through only 14 games.
Individually, graduate center Khadija Faye had arguably her most well-rounded performance of the season, recording 19 points, seven rebounds, five blocks and four steals. Senior forward MaKayla Elmore also had a solid performance, logging a career-high 15 rebounds to go along with 10 points for her first double-double of the season.
The starting guard tandem of Marley Washenitz and Brooklynn Miles combined to score 18 points. Of note, Washenitz also wreaked havoc on the defensive end, registering five steals.
As a team, the Panthers held Utah Tech (4-9, 0-0 WAC) to just 36.7 percent shooting from the field, while forcing 23 turnovers. Notably, Pitt has forced 20+ turnovers in each of its last three games, dating back to the ACC opener against Miami.
How It Happened
Pitt jumped out to an early 10-3 lead behind a pair of triples from Elmore, forcing a Utah Tech timeout. Coming out of the break, the Panthers went on a 6-1 run to extend their lead to 12. The two sides exchanged baskets for the remainder of the period as Pitt held a 21-12 advantage after 10 minutes of action.
After an Elmore layup opened the second quarter scoring, Audrey Biggs drained a triple from the right wing, beating the shot clock and extending Pitt's lead to 14 at the 7:21 mark. The two sides traded baskets for nearly four minutes of action before Faye went on a personal 5-0 burst, giving Pitt a 16 point lead – its largest of the half. The Trailblazers then scored five unanswered, narrowing their deficit to 11 to close the second quarter.
The Panthers were paced by Faye and Elmore during the first 20 minutes of play, as the duo combined for 21 points and 10 rebounds. Faye also anchored Pitt defensively, adding three blocks and three steals.
The third quarter opened as a back-and-forth affair, before a 15-6 Utah Tech run brought the Trailblazers within six at the 4:48 mark. Biggs immediately responded to Utah Tech's onslaught with a triple from the top of the key. Both sides were limited to just one field goal over the final four minutes of the third quarter as Pitt led, 51-42, entering the final period.
The Panthers and Trailblazers exchanged field goals for the first few minutes of the fourth quarter, before four unanswered points from Utah Tech made it a five-point game. Pitt then outscored the Trailblazers, 8-4 over the final seven minutes of action to earn the 61-52 victory.
Game Notes
- MaKayla Elmore logged her first double-double as Panther, logging 10 points and a career-high 15 rebounds.
- Khadija Faye filled the stat sheet, registering 19 points, seven rebounds, five blocks and four steals.
- Marley Washenitz tallied a game-high five steals.
- Audrey Biggs scored eight points off the bench in 10 minutes of action.
Up Next
Pitt will take an eight-day hiatus before resuming ACC play against Georgia Tech on Sunday, Dec. 29.
