University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt
8-12,1-6ACC
SMU
8-11,1-6ACC
Second-Half Surge Lifts SMU Over Pitt, 83-76
1/18/2026 4:25:00 PM | Women's Basketball
PITTSBURGH – The Pitt women's basketball team dropped a Sunday afternoon decision to SMU, falling 83-76 at the Petersen Events Center.
Five Panthers scored in double figures, led by Mikayla Johnson with a team-high 20 points. Johnson added six rebounds, two assists and two steals in the effort. Fatima Diakhate delivered a strong all-around performance, finishing with 16 points on 7-of-8 shooting while pulling down a game-high 15 rebounds to secure her eighth double-double of the season. She also added four assists and three blocks.
Theresa Hagans Jr. chipped in 16 points and a team-leading five assists, while Carla Viegas scored 12 points, connecting on four three-pointers in the opening quarter to help spark Pitt's fast start. Lauren Rust added 10 points on an efficient 5-of-6, along with four rebounds and two blocks.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Pitt opened the game with an 8-0 run, jumping out to an early lead behind hot perimeter shooting from Viegas. The Panthers built an 11-point advantage late in the second quarter and carried a 42-31 lead into halftime after outscoring SMU 24-19 in the opening frame.
SMU responded after the break, outscoring Pitt 29-16 in the third quarter to take its first lead of the game. The Panthers remained within striking distance in the fourth, trimming the deficit to five on multiple occasions, but SMU went 12-of-19 from the free-throw line down the stretch to seal the win.
Zahra King led the Mustangs with 40 points, four steals, three assists and three rebounds. SMU improved to 8-11 and earned its first conference victory, while Pitt fell to 8-12 overall and 1-6 in ACC play.
GAME NOTES
- The Panthers outrebounded the Mustangs 39-35.
- The Pitt bench contributed 18 points.
- Pitt scored 42 points in the paint.
UP NEXT
Pitt will travel to Charlottesville to face Virginia on Thursday, Jan. 22. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. on ACCNX.
