Panthers Host SMU Sunday to Conclude Homestand

PITTSBURGH – Seeking its first ACC win of the 2024-25 campaign, the Pitt women's basketball team will host SMU on Sunday at the Petersen Events Center.

Tipoff is slated for 1:00 p.m., and the game can be streamed via ACCNX.

Need to Know - Game 18
Pitt (8-9, 0-4 ACC) vs. SMU (10-6, 2-2 ACC)
Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025 – 1:00 p.m.
Pittsburgh, Pa. – Petersen Events Center

The Opening Tip
Defense Shines
Pitt's performance against Louisville was highlighted by its defensive effort, as the Panthers limited the Cardinals to shooting splits of 39.4 percent from the field and 26.7 percent shooting from three-point range, respectively.

Notably, in the first half, Pitt held Louisville to just 28.6 percent shooting from the floor and 6.7 percent shooting from beyond the arc.

Faye Continues to Dominate
Graduate center Khadija Faye has recorded six double doubles this season, while averaging 17.3 points and 9.5 rebounds per game.

The Dakar, Senegal, native ranks in the top 50 nationally in seven statistical categories (Offensive Rebounds Per Game - 4th, Free Throws - 10th, Free Throw Attempts - 10th, Blocks Per Game - 15th, Blocks - 17th, Double Doubles - 34th and Rebounds - 45th).

Faye also leads the ACC in offensive boards per contest at 4.9, while anchoring a Panther defense that allows only 63.1 points per 40 minutes - good for ninth in the league.

Washenitz on the Defensive End
Junior guard Marley Washenitz has wreaked havoc on the defensive end for opposing guards all season, averaging 2.2 steals per game. Against Louisville, she recorded three steals, marking her eighth game this season logging three or more steals.

Series History

Sunday will mark the second all-time meeting between Pitt and SMU.
- The Panthers won the lone meeting between the two teams, 62-56, at the Bearcat Classic in Cincinnati, Ohio on Nov. 24, 1979.

Scouting the Mustangs

In its first season as a member of the ACC, SMU is off to a 10-6 start, including a 2-2 ledger in league play.
- SMU knocked off Syracuse Thursday, 72-71, in overtime for their second-ever ACC win.
The Mustangs lead the ACC and rank 11th nationally in offensive rebounds per game at 16.3.
- They also rank within the top 100 nationally in field goal percentage defense (85th - 38 percent) and blocks per game (86th - 3.8).
Individually, the Mustangs are led by Nya Robertson who averages 20.8 points per contest, while leading the country in field goal attempts.
- Chantae Embry and Jessica Peterson also average double figures in scoring at 11.7 and 10.3, respectively.
  - Peterson averages a team-high 12.2 rebounds per contest.

Last Time Out - vs. Louisville
Despite leading by seven at the halftime break, Pitt fell to Louisville, 65-56, Thursday evening at the Petersen Events Center.

Both teams were held scoreless for the first 2:48 of action, before a Louisville layup opened the scoring. The Panthers immediately responded with a 7-0 run behind consecutive baskets by Faye and a triple from MaKayla Elmore. The two sides traded field goals, before back-to-back threes from Aislin Malcolm gave the Panthers a 15-7 lead at the 1:57 mark of the opening frame. The Cardinals outscored the Panthers, 6-2, to close the period, but Pitt led 17-13 after 10 minutes of play.

Neither side put together a run to start the second quarter as the Panthers led, 21-19, at the under-five media timeout. Coming out of the break, Pitt scored seven unanswered to take a 28-19 advantage. Louisville knocked down a midrange jumper to end the frame, narrowing its deficit to 28-21 entering halftime.

The Cardinals came out aggressively in the third period, immediately going on a 12-3 burst to take the lead, 33-31. Pitt and Louisville traded baskets for the remainder four minutes of the quarter, and the Cardinals led by two (37-35), entering the final 10 minutes of play.

Aaryn Battle drained a midrange pullup 19 seconds into the fourth quarter to even the ledger at 37-37. Louisville then found its stroke from beyond the arc, going on a 14-4 spurt over the ensuing four minutes to take a double-digit lead. The Panthers continued to push down the stretch but were unable to cut into the deficit, ultimately falling, 65-56.

Up Next
The Panthers travel to face No. 21 NC State on Thursday, Jan. 16. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m., and the game can be streamed via ACCNX.