Panthers Visit Stanford Thursday For First Time in Program History

PITTSBURGH – Looking to snap a three-game losing skid, the Pitt women's basketball team will travel to face Stanford on Thursday evening at Maples Pavilion.

Tipoff is slated for 10:00 p.m. ET, and the game can be streamed via ACCNX.

Need to Know - Game 22
Pitt (9-12, 1-7 ACC) at Stanford (10-9, 2-6 ACC)
Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 – 10:00 p.m. ET
Stanford, Calif. – Maples Pavilion

The Opening Tip
Johnson Finding Her Way
Redshirt sophomore guard Mikayla Johnson is growing into her role as the second option, joining Graduate center Khadija Faye as the lone Panthers averaging double figures (10.1 PPG).

Johnson previously netted 18 points against North Carolina, including 12 points on 4-of-4 shooting from three-point range in the fourth quarter.

Washenitz as of Late
Voted a team captain midseason due to her positive attitude and effort, junior guard Marley Washenitz has played her best basketball as of late, averaging 12.0 points, 4.0 assists and 3.8 rebounds over the last five games.

Washenitz has wreaked havoc on the defensive end for opposing guards all season, averaging 2.1 steals per game.

Faye Continues to Shine
Faye has been one of the best bigs in the ACC this season, averaging 17.5 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. Of note, the Dakar, Senegal native ranks 14th nationally, averaging 4.3 boards per contest.

Series History

Thursday will mark the third all-time meeting between Pitt and Stanford, as the Cardinal lead the series (2-0).
- The last matchup between the two sides came in the Sweet Sixteen on March 29, 2008.
Pitt has never played a true road game at Stanford.

Scouting the Cardinal

Stanford has compiled a 10-9 ledger, including a 2-6 mark in ACC play this season.
- Stanford is coming off back-to-back losses to then-No. 22 Cal and then-No. 16 Duke, respectively.
The Cardinal rank third nationally in 3-point field goal percentage at 38.8 percent.
Individually, Stanford is led by Nunu Agara who averages 17.5 points and 8.1 rebounds per contest.
- Elena Bosgana and Brooke Demetre also contribute significantly, averaging 12.5 and 10.4 points per game, respectively.

Last Time Out - vs. Virginia Tech
Pitt fell to Virginia Tech, 84-57, Thursday evening in the Petersen Events Center. MaKayla Elmore and Washenitz led the Panthers with 11 points each.

Brooklynn Miles knotted the contest at 4-4 following a contested layup to beat the shot clock before a 5-2 Hokie tilt gave Virginia Tech a 9-6 lead at the first media timeout. A Washenitz under-the-basket layup brought Pitt within two, at 12-10. Virginia Tech responded with three consecutive field goals as part of a 9-0 run to take a 21-10 lead into the second quarter.

Johnson and Washenitz both netted baskets while getting fouled and converted their free throws, but the Panthers relied on their defense in the second frame. The Pitt defense made its presence felt with a 2:38 stretch where the Panthers didn't allow a field goal in the second quarter but trailed 41-25 at half. Faye led Pitt with six points in the first half.

Virginia Tech opened the third quarter on a 12-2 run, forcing a Pitt timeout. Pitt ignited its offense with an Audrey Biggs layup after sending a defender over her back. On the following possession, Elmore rattled in a 3-pointer as part of a 10-0 Panther run. Pitt allowed just two Hokie points in the final 4:21 of the third quarter, but trailed 62-43 entering the final 10 minutes.

Virginia Tech used a 5-of-7 shooting run from the field to stretch its lead to 77-51 in the fourth quarter while holding Pitt scoreless for over three minutes. Washenitz led Pitt with four points in the final frame but Virginia outscored Pitt 22-14 down the stretch.

Up Next
The Panthers will stay on the West Coast to square off with No. 19 Cal on Sunday.