Pitt
5-5,0-0ACC
Duquesne
5-2,0-0Atlantic 10
Pitt Falls in City Game to Duquesne, 73-69
12/4/2024 9:51:00 PM | Women's Basketball
PITTSBURGH – Despite an ACC-leading fifth double-double from Khadija Faye, the Pitt women's basketball team lost in the City Game to Duquesne, 73-69, Wednesday night at the Petersen Events Center.
Pitt's (5-5, 0-0 ACC) offense ran through its front court, as Faye scored 23 - marking her fourth game this season scoring at least 20 points, and grabbed 15 rebounds. Forward MaKayla Elmore netted a season-high 15 points on 6-of-12 shooting, including a season-high three 3-pointers.
The Panthers shot 36.9 percent (24-for-65) from the field and 29.2 percent (7-for-24) from behind the arc. Duquesne (5-2, 0-0), who entered the contest ranked fourth in the nation in 3-point attempts per game and ninth in 3-pointers made per game shot 35.1 percent (13-for-37) from behind the arc and 42.9 percent (27-for-63) from the field.
Pitt outrebounded Duquesne, 43-37, and was previously 4-2 when outrebounding opponents. Pitt forced 16 turnovers on seven steals, which it converted into 22 points.
How It Happened
Off the opening tip, Aaryn Battle found Marley Washenitz for a 3-pointer just six seconds into the contest. Mikayla Johnson added five points and grabbed two early rebounds as the Panthers raced out to a 10-7 lead at the media timeout. Duquesne responded by going on a 12-3 run, forcing a Pitt timeout. Of note, Johnson grabbed three offensive rebounds in the frame. Pitt trailed 19-14 at the end of the first quarter.
Faye found offense early in the second, netting a contested bucket in the paint to bring the Panthers within three of the Dukes. Despite scoring early, an over-two-minute Pitt scoring drought helped Duquesne stretch its lead to nine, 27-18. Pitt battled behind Faye's 10 points and seven rebounds (five offensive) in the quarter but trailed 35-27 after 20 minutes of play.
Pitt opened the third quarter on a searing 9-0 run, sparked by an emphatic block from Battle. Elmore laced a top-of-the-key 3-pointer and Faye netted a turnaround jumper in back-to-back possessions to tie the game at 38 and force a Duquesne timeout. Duquesne responded with a 6-0 run, which Pitt ended with a Johnson right-wing 3-pointer. Pitt retook the lead on another Elmore 3-pointer with 2:44 remaining in the third quarter but ultimately trailed Duquesne, 52-51, entering the final 10 minutes.
Pitt and Duquesne continued trading offensive shots, with both teams hitting 3-pointers on their first possessions of the fourth quarter. Elmore notched another 3-pointer from a Faye assist as Pitt took a 59-58 lead with 7:46 remaining in the game. Duquesne used a 6-0 run in the fourth quarter to retake the lead, and led 67-63 with under two minutes remaining. A steal and quick Elmore score brought Pitt within two, but the Panthers were unable to retake the lead.
Game Notes
- Faye notched her ACC-leading fifth double-double, scoring 23 points and grabbing 15 rebounds
- Elmore's 15 points marks the second-most points of her career, behind her 17 points scored at Clemson against Wake Forest on Feb. 29, 2024.
- Pitt outrebounded its opponent for the sixth time this season.
- Pitt scored 32 points in the paint and 10 second-chance points.
Up Next
Pitt remains home to face non-conference opponent Saint Peter's on Sunday, Dec. 8. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. and the game can be streamed on ACCNX.
