www.pittsburghpanthers.com 1 2009-10 Pitt Women s Basketball 2008 and 2009 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 Participant Team Information 2008-09 Overall Record ....................................................................................25-8 2008-09 Big East Record/Finish ................................................................. 12-4/3rd Starters Returning/Lost ..................................................................................... 4/2 Returning: Jania Sims* (G), Shaley Sco(F), Sophronia Sallard (F), Pepper Wilson (C) Lost: Shavonte Zellous (G), Xenia Stewart (F) * - Was injured during the first game of the 2008-09 season Leerwinners Returning/Lost ......................................................................... 10/2 Returning: Chelsea Cole (F), Taneisha Harrison (F), Shayla Sco(F), Selena Nwude (C), Sarah Ogoke (G), Sophronia Sallard (F), Jania Sims (G), Brianey Thomas (G), Kate Popovec (C), Pepper Wilson (C) Lost: Shavonte Zellous (G), Xenia Stewart (G) Newcomers ............................................................................................................ 2 Ashley Anderson (G), Leeza Burdgess (C) Class Breakdown................ Seniors (1), Juniors (6), Sophomores (3), Freshmen (2) Starters Returning (4) Sophronia Sallard, Senior, 5-10, Guard/Forward • ESPN.com Player of the Day vs. Wyoming • 6.6 ppg., 3.0 rpg., 2.6 apg., 33 GP, 19 GS Shayla Sco, Junior, 6-1, Guard • 6.4 ppg., 5.4 rpg., 61 GP, 44 GS Jania Sims, Junior*, 5-7, Guard • 2006-07 Big East All-Freshman Team • 5.8 ppg., 4.2 rpg., 4.6 apg., 33 GP, 29 GS Shawnice “Pepper” Wilson, Sophomore, 6-6, Center • All-Big East Freshman Team • Finalist for USA Baseketball U19 Team • 6.8 ppg., 6.4 rpg., 33 GP, 32 GS Starters Lost (2) Xenia Stewart • Big East Defensive Player of the Year nominee • All-Big East Second Team Senior, 6-0, Guard, 10.2 ppg., 4.4 rpg., 2.9 apg., 131 GP, 129 GS Shavonte Zellous • Three-me All-Big East First Team, Third Team All-American Senior, 5-11, Guard, 16.9 ppg., 5.7 rpg., 2.5 apg., 133 GP, 119 GS Newcomers (2) Ashlee Anderson, 5-9; FR; G; Chicago, Ill./Whitney Young High • The Sporng News Honorable Menon All-American • Selected one of Chicago’s 50 Top Players Leeza Burdgess, 6-5; FR; C; Miami, Fla./Miami Norland High • Invited to Michael White’s Top Ten All-America Camp • Three-me All-County selecon General Information Locaon............................................................................................Pi sburgh, Pa. Founded .......................................................................................................... 1787 Enrollment ................................................................................................... 33,393 Chancellor .............................................................................. Mark A. Nordenberg Athlec Director............................................................................. Steve Pederson Nickname ..................................................................................................Panthers Colors ............................................................................................... Blue and Gold Affiliaon ...................................................................................NCAA, Division I-A Home Court........................................................................Petersen Events Center Capacity........................................................................................................ 12,508 Conference ................................................................................................. Big East NCAA Varsity Teams............................................................................................ 19 Men (9): Baseball, basketball, cross country, football, soccer, swimming and diving, track and field (indoor and outdoor) and wrestling Women (10): Basketball, cross country, gymnascs, soccer, soſtball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field (indoor and outdoor) and volleyball Address ....................................... Department of Athlecs P.O. Box 7436 Pisburgh, PA 15213 Athlecs Department Phone ......................................................... (412) 648-8200 Ticket Office Phone ........................................................................ (412) 648-8300 Media Relations Information Associate Athlec Director/Media Relaons ..................................... E.J. BorgheAssociate Media Relaons Director .............................................. Mendy Nestor Media Relaons Director................................................................. Greg Hotchkiss Media Relaons Director..................................................................... Sophia Duck Media Relaons Assistant/Women’s Basketball Contact ....................Paul Pancoe Media Relaons Coordinator ........................................................... Celeste Welsh Media Relaons Fax........................................................................ (412) 648-8248 Press Row Phone ............................................................................ (412) 648-2318 Web site ................................................................... www.pisburghpanthers.com Pitt Coaching Staff Head Coach (Alma Mater) ...................... Agnus Berenato (Mount St. Mary’s, ‘80) Record at Pisburgh/Years ................................................... 114-74/Seventh year Overall Record/Years ..................................................................397-338/25 years Associate Head Coach.................................................. Jeff Williams (Howard, ‘87) Assistant Coach .................................. Caroline McCombs (Youngstown State, ‘98) Assistant Coach ................................... YoleMcPhee-McCuin (Rhode Island, ‘04) Director of Operaons ............................. Mark Rhodehamel (SUNY Oswego, ‘03) Athlec Trainer ....................................................................................... Jill Conley Strength and Condioning Coach............................................................ Tim Beltz Equipment Manager .......................................................................... Brian Brigger Video Coordinator ......................................................................... Meghan Bielich Academic Coordinator .........................................................................Jen Tuscano Women’s Basketball Phone ........................................................... (412) 648-8360 Women’s Basketball Fax ................................................................ (412) 648-9152 Pitt Women s Basketball History First Year of Program ........................................ 1914-15, but resumed in 1974-75 Overall All-Time Record ....................................501-494 (.503), beginning in 1974 Number of Postseason Appearances ......................... Seven – NCAA (3), WNIT (4) Last Postseason Appearance ................... 2008-09 – NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 First Round - Defeated Montana, 64-35 Second Round - Defeated Gonzaga, 65-60 Third Round - Fell to Oklahoma, 70-59
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2009-10 Pitt Women’s Basketball2 0 0 8 a n d 2 0 0 9 N C A A T o u r n a m e n t S w e e t 1 6 P a r t i c i p a n t
Team Informat i on2008-09 Overall Record ....................................................................................25-82008-09 Big East Record/Finish .................................................................12-4/3rdStarters Returning/Lost ..................................................................................... 4/2 Returning: Jania Sims* (G), Shaley Scott (F), Sophronia Sallard (F), Pepper Wilson (C)
Lost: Shavonte Zellous (G), Xenia Stewart (F) * - Was injured during the fi rst game of the 2008-09 seasonLett erwinners Returning/Lost ......................................................................... 10/2 Returning: Chelsea Cole (F), Taneisha Harrison (F), Shayla Scott (F), Selena Nwude (C), Sarah Ogoke (G), Sophronia Sallard (F), Jania Sims (G), Britt aney Thomas (G), Kate Popovec (C), Pepper Wilson (C) Lost: Shavonte Zellous (G), Xenia Stewart (G) Newcomers ............................................................................................................2 Ashley Anderson (G), Leeza Burdgess (C) Class Breakdown ................Seniors (1), Juniors (6), Sophomores (3), Freshmen (2)
• Starter s Return ing (4)Sophronia Sallard, Senior, 5-10, Guard/Forward • ESPN.com Player of the Day vs. Wyoming • 6.6 ppg., 3.0 rpg., 2.6 apg., 33 GP, 19 GS
Jania Sims, Junior*, 5-7, Guard • 2006-07 Big East All-Freshman Team
• 5.8 ppg., 4.2 rpg., 4.6 apg., 33 GP, 29 GS
Shawnice “Pepper” Wilson, Sophomore, 6-6, Center • All-Big East Freshman Team
• Finalist for USA Baseketball U19 Team • 6.8 ppg., 6.4 rpg., 33 GP, 32 GS
• Starter s Lo s t (2)Xenia Stewart • Big East Defensive Player of the Year nominee • All-Big East Second TeamSenior, 6-0, Guard, 10.2 ppg., 4.4 rpg., 2.9 apg., 131 GP, 129 GS
Shavonte Zellous • Three-ti me All-Big East First Team, Third Team All-AmericanSenior, 5-11, Guard, 16.9 ppg., 5.7 rpg., 2.5 apg., 133 GP, 119 GS
• Newcomer s (2)Ashlee Anderson, 5-9; FR; G; Chicago, Ill./Whitney Young High
• The Sporti ng News Honorable Menti on All-American• Selected one of Chicago’s 50 Top Players
Leeza Burdgess, 6-5; FR; C; Miami, Fla./Miami Norland High• Invited to Michael White’s Top Ten All-America Camp
• Three-ti me All-County selecti on
General Informat i onLocati on ............................................................................................Pitt sburgh, Pa.Founded ..........................................................................................................1787Enrollment ...................................................................................................33,393Chancellor ..............................................................................Mark A. NordenbergAthleti c Director ............................................................................. Steve PedersonNickname ..................................................................................................PanthersColors ............................................................................................... Blue and GoldAffi liati on ...................................................................................NCAA, Division I-AHome Court ........................................................................Petersen Events CenterCapacity........................................................................................................12,508Conference ................................................................................................. Big EastNCAA Varsity Teams ............................................................................................19
Men (9): Baseball, basketball, cross country, football, soccer, swimming and diving, track and fi eld (indoor and outdoor) and wrestling
Women (10): Basketball, cross country, gymnasti cs, soccer, soft ball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and fi eld (indoor and outdoor) and volleyballAddress ....................................... Department of Athleti cs P.O. Box 7436 Pitt sburgh, PA 15213Athleti cs Department Phone ......................................................... (412) 648-8200Ticket Offi ce Phone ........................................................................ (412) 648-8300
Media Relat i on s Informat i onAssociate Athleti c Director/Media Relati ons .....................................E.J. Borghetti Associate Media Relati ons Director .............................................. Mendy NestorMedia Relati ons Director .................................................................Greg HotchkissMedia Relati ons Director ..................................................................... Sophia DuckMedia Relati ons Assistant/Women’s Basketball Contact ....................Paul PancoeMedia Relati ons Coordinator ........................................................... Celeste WelshMedia Relati ons Fax ........................................................................ (412) 648-8248Press Row Phone ............................................................................ (412) 648-2318Web site ...................................................................www.pitt sburghpanthers.com
Pit t Coach ing S taffHead Coach (Alma Mater) ...................... Agnus Berenato (Mount St. Mary’s, ‘80)Record at Pitt sburgh/Years ................................................... 114-74/Seventh yearOverall Record/Years ..................................................................397-338/25 yearsAssociate Head Coach ..................................................Jeff Williams (Howard, ‘87)Assistant Coach ..................................Caroline McCombs (Youngstown State, ‘98)Assistant Coach ................................... Yolett McPhee-McCuin (Rhode Island, ‘04) Director of Operati ons ............................. Mark Rhodehamel (SUNY Oswego, ‘03)Athleti c Trainer ....................................................................................... Jill ConleyStrength and Conditi oning Coach ............................................................Tim BeltzEquipment Manager ..........................................................................Brian BriggerVideo Coordinator ......................................................................... Meghan BielichAcademic Coordinator .........................................................................Jen TuscanoWomen’s Basketball Phone ........................................................... (412) 648-8360Women’s Basketball Fax ................................................................ (412) 648-9152
Pit t Women’s Baske tbal l Hi s t o ryFirst Year of Program ........................................ 1914-15, but resumed in 1974-75Overall All-Time Record ....................................501-494 (.503), beginning in 1974Number of Postseason Appearances .........................Seven – NCAA (3), WNIT (4)Last Postseason Appearance ................... 2008-09 – NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 First Round - Defeated Montana, 64-35 Second Round - Defeated Gonzaga, 65-60 Third Round - Fell to Oklahoma, 70-59
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2009-10 Pitt Women’s Basketball2 0 0 8 a n d 2 0 0 9 N C A A T o u r n a m e n t S w e e t 1 6 P a r t i c i p a n t
NUMERICAL No. Name Cl. Pos. Ht. Hometown/High School/Last School 2 Sophronia Sallard SR* G/F 5-10 Syracuse, N.Y./Notti ngham/Kansas 10 Taneisha Harrison JR G 6-0 Bowie, Md./St. John’s College High 12 Britt aney Thomas JR* G 5-8 Montgomery, Ala./Jeff erson Davis/Florida 14 Jania Sims JR* G 5-7 Newark, N.J./Shabazz 22 Chelsea Cole JR F 6-3 Lumberton, N.J./Rancocas Valley 23 Ashlee Anderson FR G 5-9 Chicago, Ill./Whitney Young High 24 Sarah Ogoke SO G 5-9 Sugar Land, Texas/Dulles 25 Shayla Scott JR G 6-1 Monroeville, Pa./Gateway 32 Selena Nwude JR* C 6-5 Riverdale, Md./Eleanor Roosevelt 40 Pepper Wilson SO C 6-6 Pitt sburgh, Pa./Westi nghouse 42 Leeza Burdgess FR C 6-5 Miami, Fla./Miami Norland High 50 Kate Popovec SO F 6-3 Canfi eld, Ohio/Canfi eld
ALPHABETICAL No. Name Cl. Pos. Ht. Hometown/High School/Last School 23 Ashlee Anderson FR G 5-9 Chicago, Ill./Whitney Young High 42 Leeza Burdgess FR C 6-5 Miami, Fla./Miami Norland High 22 Chelsea Cole JR F 6-3 Lumberton, N.J./Rancocas Valley 10 Taneisha Harrison JR G 6-0 Bowie, Md./St. John’s College High 32 Selena Nwude JR* C 6-5 Riverdale, Md./Eleanor Roosevelt 24 Sarah Ogoke SO G 5-9 Sugar Land, Texas/Dulles 50 Kate Popovec SO C 6-3 Canfi eld, Ohio/Canfi eld 2 Sophronia Sallard SR* G/F 5-10 Syracuse, N.Y./Notti ngham/Kansas 25 Shayla Scott JR G 6-1 Monroeville, Pa./Gateway 14 Jania Sims JR* G 5-7 Newark, N.J./Shabazz 12 Britt aney Thomas SR* G 5-8 Montgomery, Ala./Jeff erson Davis/Florida 40 Pepper Wilson SO C 6-6 Pitt sburgh, Pa./Westi nghouse
* Denotes redshirt
Head Coach: Agnus Berenato (Mount St. Mary’s, 1980)Associate Head Coach: Jeff Williams (Howard, 1987)Assistant Coach: Caroline McCombs (Youngstown State, 1998)Assistant Coach: Yolett McPhee-McCuin (Rhode Island, 2004)Director of Operati ons: Mark Rhodehamel (SUNY Oswego, 2003)Video Coordinator: Meghan Bielich (Clarion, 2006)
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2009-10 Pitt Women’s Basketball2 0 0 8 a n d 2 0 0 9 N C A A T o u r n a m e n t S w e e t 1 6 P a r t i c i p a n t
2009-10 Pitt Women’s Basketball2 0 0 8 a n d 2 0 0 9 N C A A T o u r n a m e n t S w e e t 1 6 P a r t i c i p a n t
Aft er a second straight Sweet 16 appear-ance and its third consecuti ve trip to
the NCAA Tournament, the Pitt women’s basketball team is ready to make the jump to the next level and the tools to do so are in place.
Head coach Agnus Berenato has led the Panthers to record-breaking seasons year aft er year, and looks forward to another season get-ti ng underway. Pitt will look to build upon three straight trips to the NCAA Tournament and will prepare to do so with a bit of home court advantage as the Panthers host the fi rst and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament at the Petersen Events Center for the second ti me in the past four years. “Hosting in 2006-07 was tre-mendous for us,” Berenato said. “It is a great compliment to the University and the athleti c departmet to be selected to host again. The women’s basketball committ ee in conjucti on with our staff runs a fi rst class event and we expect nothing short of that this year.” The Panthers have now had four consecuti ve 20-win seasons and three trips to the NCAA Tournament under Berenato. The milestones and program fi rsts conti nue to pile up. Aft er another record-setti ng season in 2008-09, what is in store for this upcoming season? “We will need to build on what we have done in the past three sea-sons and conti nue the momentum in 2009-10,” said Berenato. “The next step is to move past the Sweet 16 and ulti mately reach our goal of a Nati onal Championship.” The Panthers head into the 2009-10 season losing two key seniors that comprised the most successful class in Pitt history in Shavonte Zel-lous and Xenia Stewart. Over their four years, the Panthers went 95-39 (.709) as the two combined to score nearly 40 percent of Pitt ’s points. Despite the loss of Zellous, a third-team Associated Press All-American and Stewart, a 2008-09 All-Big East Second Team selecti on, the Panthers look to add yet another banner to the raft ers of the Petersen Events Center. Key components helping Pitt in its quest this season will be senior Sophronia Sallard (Syracuse, N.Y./Notti ngham/Kansas) and ju-niors Shayla Scott (Monroeville, Pa./Gateway)and Jania Sims (Newark, N.J./Shabazz). Sims will be getti ng back into acti on aft er
having suff ered a season-ending injury just fi ve minutes into last year’s season opener against Texas A&M at the State Farm Tip Off Classic. “We’re really, really exicted to have Jania back this year,” Berenato said. “She’s a very talented and true point guard, she is my coach on the court. She’s a diff erence maker and has a litt le razzle to her that gets everyone fi red up.” Joining Sims as returners competi ng for a spot in the starti ng lineup will be Sallard and Scott .
Sophronia Sallard, the lone senior, is com-ing off a season in which she averaged career-bests in points per game (6.6) and rebounds per game (3.0). She played in all 33 games and started 14 of 16 Big East contests. Sallard has shown that she is a capable of-fensive weapon with the departure of the two leading scorers from last season in Zellous and Stewart. She tallied a career-high 20 points on 9-of-15 shooti ng in Pitt ’s 61-53 overti me win at Rutgers, the fi rst ti me they had ever beaten the Scarlet Knights in Piscataway. Shayla Scott also enters the 2009-10 season coming off a career year, averaging 8.7 points per game and a team-high 6.7 rebounds per game. This season, she will look to make the move to wing from the post positi on. “Shayla is going to add a lot of versati lity to our team,” said Berenato. “She’s highly skilled
and causes problems as far as matchups in the guard positi on are concerned.” With an ability to score from down low and on the perimeter (35 threes a year ago), Scott will be one of the biggest threats in the Panther lineup on a nightly basis. Despite the losses from last season, Pitt will return four players with All-Big East accolades. Chelsea Cole (6-3, Jr., Forward, Lumberton, N.J.), Taneisha Harrison (6-0, Jr., Guard, Bowie, Md.), Shawnice “Pepper” Wilson (6-6, So., Cen-ter, Pitt sburgh, Pa.) and Sims have all earned
All-Big East Freshmen Team honors within the past three years. “Our returning group of girls is one that has yet to fi nd their iden-ti ty,” said Berenato. “Mallorie Winn, Mercedes Walker and Shavonte Zel-lous all created it for their respecti ve teams and we are anxious to see who steps up now. Expectations are higher, which means we have to work harder, but I am confi dent this group will answer the call.” Joining the team this season will be 5-9, freshmen guard Ashlee Anderson (Chicago, Ill./Whitney Young) and 6-5, freshman center Leeza Burdgess (Miami, Fla./Miami Norland). After signing with the Panthers, but sitti ng out a year due to NCAA transfer rules is Britt aney Thomas (5-8, Jr*., Guard, Mont-gomery, Ala.). Thomas played two seasons at Florida before making the move to Pitt . “Ashlee and Leeza bring two
diff erent styles to the table,” Berenato said. “Ashlee, a two or three guard, is a gutsy player who comes from a very athletic family and an established
program that has insti lled a winning philosphy. Look for her to make some noise this season with her style of play.” “Leeza is a highly moti vated player that gets bett er by the day. As ti me goes by she will prove to have a big impact on this team.” Redshirt junior forward Selena Nwude (6-5, Jr.*, Forward, Riverdale, Md.), returns aft er an injury riddled two years. Nwude sat out the 2007-08 season aft er injurying her knee in the fi nal regular season game of 2006-07. Aft er rehabing, Nwude again suff ered a setback with an injury to the same knee and was forced to miss the fi rst half of the 2008-09 season. She returned to the lineup and played in 16 games last season. If she can remain healthy this year, look for her producti on to pick up as her min-utes increase.
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Shayla Scott returns as Pitt ’s leading scorer aft er averaging nearly nine points per game last season.
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2009-10 Pitt Women’s Basketball2 0 0 8 a n d 2 0 0 9 N C A A T o u r n a m e n t S w e e t 1 6 P a r t i c i p a n t
Schedule Pitt starts the season off at home during the month of November. The opener will be against North Florida on Nov. 17. Pitt will look to avenge a 90-83 loss last season in Gainsville when the Florida Gators come to town on Nov. 20. “We’re really looking forward to the return of Florida on the schedule this season,” Bere-nato said. “They are a top 25 team and to host them here at Pitt is awesome!” The Panthers will host St. Francis on Nov. 24 before hosti ng their annual Thanksgiving Tournament Nov. 27-28. Pitt opens the month of December with a roadtrip to Youngstown State on Dec. 2 before returning home for two straight games against Western Michigan on Dec. 5 and Valparaiso on Dec. 8. The Panthers will hit the road for three straight games at Penn State on Dec. 12, at Western Kentucky on Dec. 22 and at Austi n Peay on Dec. 20 before coming home to fi nish the 2009 calender year. Cross town rival Duquesne comes to the PEC on Dec. 29 while Mount St. Mary’s rounds out the non-conference schedule
on Dec. 31. The Big East schedule has yet to be fi nal-ized, but the Panthers will welcome Connecti -cut, Georgetown, Louisville, Rutgers, St. John’s, Seton Hall, Syracuse and West Virginia. Pitt will travel to Cincinnati , DePaul, Marquett e, Notre Dame, Providence, South Florida, Villanova and West Virginia. “Having Connecti cut and Louisville in the nati onal championship game last year obiovusly tells you something about our conference,” Berenato said. “I’m excited to compete in the biggest and best conference in the country again this season and I’m sure we, as a confer-ence, will not disappoint college basketball fans.”
Guards Fresh faces will fi ll the guard positi ons in the Pitt lineup this season. Sims, back from in-jury, will be joined by Sallard, Harrison, Thomas, Sarah Ogoke (Sugar Land, Texas/Dulles), and rookie Anderson. Harrison, a strong candidate for last sea-son’s sixth man award, is due for a breakout year aft er playing in all 33 games making 13 starts last season, gaining valuable minutes. Standing at 6-0 with a quick fi rst step, she will be a legitmate scoring threat aft er averaging 8.5 points per game in 2008-09. Thomas should fi ll a scoring role in the Pitt lineup this season. “She loves to play,” says Berenato. “She is strong and can take it inside or come off a screen and shoot with accuracy.” Ogoke will serve as Sims’ backup at the point. Last season she provided depth off the bench in 23 games. She could also see acti on at the two-spot as well. “As a group these girls will have to gel to-gether in order for us to be successful. We lost two great players, but are now in the positi on where anyone can step up. Competi ti on will be fi erce and everyone will be a bett er player because of it.”
Forwards/Posts The Panthers return a strong cast of for-wards and centers this season, highlighted by All-Big East Freshman selecti on and USA Basketball U19 team fi nalist Pepper Wilson. Cole, Nwude, Kate Popovec (Canfield, Ohio/Canfi eld) and newcomer Leeza Burdgess (Miami, Fla./Miami Norland) join Wilson to form a dynamic cast this season. Wilson will anchor the center positi on for the Panthers having producing 6.8 points per game and 6.4 rebounds per game in 32 starts last season. A knee injury forced her to withdraw from
the USA U19 squad but she is expected to be back and ready for fall practi ce. “It was an unfortunate setback with the knee injury, but Pepper is really working hard on getti ng back to the team,” Berenato said. Cole enters her junior campaign with a career .454 shooti ng percentage (108-for-241) and is known for her defensive eff ort. “Chelsea is a quick twitch athlete, on eof the most athleti c ladies on the team,” Berenato said. “She’s phenomenal with blocking ability and will benefi t a great deal with Jania back in the lineup on the off ensive end.” Popovec and her blue collar work ethic will bring extra support to the backcourt this sea-son. She played in 27 games, making one start along the way and averaged 4.3 points in just over 13 minutes of playing ti me per game. An ankle injury in the middle of the season forced a decline in court ti me, but look for her to batt le under the boards yet again this year aft er averaging 4.8 rebounds per game last season. Burdgess has ti me to develop with Wilson, Popovec and Nwude, but will be available when called upon througout the season.
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Pepper Wilson garnered All-Big East Freshman Team honors and was a fi nalist for the USA Basketball U19 squad.
Sophronia Sallard will be looked upon to provide leadership to a young Panther team in 2009-10.
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2009-10 Pitt Women’s Basketball2 0 0 8 a n d 2 0 0 9 N C A A T o u r n a m e n t S w e e t 1 6 P a r t i c i p a n t
BACKGROUND ON BERENATO
Full Name: Agnus McGlade BerenatoBirthdate: Dec. 9, 1956Husband: Jack BerenatoChildren: Theresa Marie (26), Andrew (25), Joey (21), Clare (19), Christi na (16)Educati on: Mount St. Mary’s, 1980High School Coaching Experience: Holy Cross High School (1 year) Head Coach — 1981College Coaching Experience: Rider (4 years) Head Coach — 1982-85 Georgia Tech (2 years) Assistant Coach — 1987-88 Georgia Tech (15 years) Head Coach — 1989-2003 Pitt sburgh (Seventh year) Head Coach — 2003-Present
Honors: • Commencement speaker at Oakland Catholic High School (2009)• Commencement speaker at Seton Hill University (2009)• Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Seton Hill University• Named by Pitt Magazine as one of its “12 Phe-nomenal Women” (2009)• Named to the Board at Magee-Women’s Research Insti tute and Foundati on in Pitt sburgh• Keynote speaker for the PGA/Oakmont Golf Clinic ASPIRE• Seventh District Order of Eastern Star’s Coach of the Year (2009)• Host of Women’s and Girls of Disti ncti on Awards Dinner (2009)• East End Cooperati ve Ministries (EECM) co-host along with husband Jack (2009) • Bicentennial Medal of Disti ncti on from Mount St. Mary’s University (2008) • Dapper Dan Sportswoman of the Year (2006 and 2008)• Women and Girls Foundati on Honoree (2007) • Inducted into Camden County [NJ] Sports Hall of Fame (2005)• Named a fi nalist for the presti gious Pitt sburgh ATHENA Award (2005)• Girl Scouts Woman of Disti ncti on - Sports and Fitness in 2005• Recipient of the “Nati ve Son” award, presented annually by the Philadelphia Sports Writers’ Associati on (2004)• WBCA Head Coach of the All-Star team at the 2003 Final Four in Atlanta• Two-ti me State of Georgia Division I Coach of the Year by the Atlanta Tip-off Club (1992, 2003)• Honored as a member of Marquis Who’s Who in 2002-03 and 2003-04• Honored as a member of Strathmore Who’s Who in 2002-03• Inducted into the Rider Hall of Fame (2002)• GAHPERD College Coach of the Year (2000)• Nati onal Girls & Women in Sports Day College Coach of the Year (2000)• Recipient of an honorary doctorate in Humane Lett ers from Mount St. Mary’s (1995)• Recipient of the “Disti nguished Alumni” award from the Mount St. Mary’s Nati onal Alumni As-sociati on• Basketball Club of South Jersey Hall of Fame• Jackie Joyner-Kerse Volunteer Award
In just six seasons, Agnus Berenato has not only changed the face of the program here at Pitt , but has done so in dramati c fashion. Aft er a second straight trip to the Sweet 16 in 2008-09, the Panther women’s basketball team has grown into a nati onally ranked and recognized team, following suit with the strong Pitt sburgh traditi on of sports teams. For the amazing transformation Berenato has accomplished with the Pitt program, she was awarded a contract extension through the 2015-16 season. Berenato and the Panthers went on to a fourth-straight record setti ng season, starti ng with its fi rst-ever invite to the State Farm Tip Off Classic against Texas A&M. Pitt set a school record for wins in a season with 25 as well as winning percentage (.758) following a 25-8 fi nal mark. Among those 25 wins, Pitt defeated then No. 8 Maryland by 29 points for the biggest win over the highest ranked team in school history. Their 22-win regular season ti ed the 2006-07 squad for the most in school history. They also tallied the best Big East fi nish at 12-4 and entered their Big East Tournament as the No. 3 seed, the best since the 1993-94 season. In postseason play, the Panthers earned the highest seed in school history entering the NCAA Tournament as they were awarded a No. 4 spot in the Oklahoma City Regional. Upon reaching the 20-win mark for the fourth consecuti ve season, the Panthers’ success was awarded with several nati onal rankings. Pitt fi n-ished the season with a No. 15 ranking in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll, tying the highest-ever ranking in the coaches poll. In the Associated Press poll during the year, the Panthers held the No. 14 ranking, tying the best ever in the AP poll. Three Panthers earned All-Big East honors following the season highlighted by Pitt ’s fi rst three-ti me All-Big East First Team selecti on in Shavonte Zellous. Zellous was also named to the Big East All-Tournament team. Xenia Stewart was named to the second team while freshman Shawnice “Pepper” Wilson garnered All-Big East Freshmen honors. Another first for Pitt was the All-America honors received by Zellous. Pitt’s first All-American was awarded Associated Press Third
Team All-America accolades and also marked the Panthers’ fi rst WNBA draft pick when she was taken 11th overall in the fi rst round by the defending champion Detroit Shock. Zellous was also a Region I State Farm Coaches All-American, marking two straight years that a Pitt player as achieved that honor. Following the season, freshman Shawnice Wilson became the fi rst Panther to compete for a spot on the USA Basketball U19 team. Wilson was a fi nalist before having to withdraw due to injury. Berenato’s impact on the program has reached far beyond the court and the win/loss column, however, as she has put Pitt women’s basketball on the map. Over the past two seasons, Pitt was on nati onal, regional or local television 31 ti mes and received unprecedented coverage on the nati onal scene. In 2007-08, Pitt became just the 10th school in the last 20 years to advance to the Sweet 16 in just its second ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The Panthers also became the fi rst since 2000 when they upset No. 3-seed and 12th-ranked Baylor in the second round, 67-59. Also in 2007-08, the team ti ed the then school record for wins in a season with 24, reached the semifi nals of the Big East Tournament by defeat-ing No. 9 Notre Dame, and received a No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament. That win over Notre Dame marked Pitt ’s fi rst-ever win over a top 10 school and was one of four victories over top 15-ranked teams that season – another school record. Individually, Pitt had four players honored on All-Big East teams including Shavonte Zellous on the fi rst team, Marcedes Walker on the second team and Chelsea Cole and Taneisha Harrison on the All-Freshmen squad. Walker became Pitt ’s fi rst-ever four-ti me All-Big East team member and also earned her second Region I State Farm Coaches All-America team honor as a senior, which was also a fi rst for a Panther player. The Panthers earned their highest-ever rank-ing in the top 25 polls with a No. 14 Associated Press mark and No. 15 in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll. Under Berenato’s guidance, Pitt has had four consecuti ve 20-win seasons and four consecuti ve
AGNUS BERENATOHEAD COACH
SEVENTH SEASON AT PITTSBURGH
397-338 overall record114-74 at Pitt (7th season)
Alma mater: Mount St. Mary’s University, 1980Hometown: Gloucester City, N.J.
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nament with a 71-61 win over James Madison on March 18, 2007• Most wins in school history in 2006-07 and 2007-08 (24)• First ti me ever ranked in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches poll (2006-07)• First ranking in the AP poll since 1979 (2006-07)• Fastest team ever to 20 wins (2006-07)• School record 12-0 start (2006-07)• Marcedes Walker was named a Kodak/WBCA District I All-American – Pitt ’s fi rst in 16 years (2006-07)• Shavonte Zellous was named the Big East’s Most Improved Player -- Pitt ’s fi rst ever “We’re building a top-notch program here and everything that’s happening is a step in that directi on,” Berenato said. “We want all of our players to strive to play on nati onal teams and to be the best they can be on the court and in the classroom.” A subject of importance with Berenato is her devoti on to the community and her work in Pitt sburgh and surrounding areas is extensive. She recently received her second Dapper Dan Sportswoman of the Year award in last three years (2005 and 2007), a presti gious award in the city of Pitt sburgh given to someone who suc-ceeds athleti cally, as well as makes a diff erence in the community. She was also recently named by Pitt Magazine as one of its “12 Phenomenal Women” due to her successes on the court and her contributi ons off the court. In May of 2009, Berenato was awarded with an honorary Doctorate of Humane Lett ers from Seton Hill University and delivered the com-mencement speech to their spring graduates. Berenato has been named to the Board at Magee-Women’s Research Insti tute and Foun-dati on in Pitt sburgh. She is an advocate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation’s Race For The Cure – a charity organizati on for the preventi on and treatment of breast cancer. In additi on to her local involvement, Berenato initi ated Pitt ’s annual Pink the Petersen event, which takes place at a game every season and helps to promote awareness and raise funds for breast cancer. The Panthers and the Susan G. Komen Foundati on join forces for the annual event, which has become extremely successful in the Pitt sburgh area. In 2008, Berenato was recognized by her alma mater, Mount St. Mary’s, when she received the Bicentennial Medal of Honor. She has been honored by the Girl Scouts Trillium Council as the Sports and Fitness honoree at their Women and Girls of Disti ncti on ceremony, earned inducti on into the Camden County [N.J.] Sports Hall of Fame, and was named a fi nalist for the presti -gious ATHENA Award. In the spring of 2004, Berenato received the “Nati ve Son Award,” an annual award presented by the Philadelphia Sports Writers Associati on to a nati ve of the Philadelphia area who has achieved success in athleti cs. Berenato has made a name for herself throughout the University of Pittsburgh and the community for her dynamic public speak-
post-season tournament appearances, which are both school bests. Prior to the 2006-07 season, Berenato made clear her intenti ons of being a parti cipant at the NCAA Tournament -- Pitt ’s fi rst in school history. Aft er the loss of senior Mallorie Winn to injury, Berenato’s goals did not change. In fact, they intensifi ed playing to the most wins in Pitt history with a 24-9 record -- including a 71-61 win over James Madison in the fi rst round of the NCAA Tournament. That 2006-07 squad earned its fi rst-ever rank-ing in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches poll and was ranked in the AP poll for the fi rst ti me since 1979. Marcedes Walker was named Pitt ’s fi rst Kodak/WBCA District I All-American in 16 years and Shavonte Zellous earned the Big East’s Most Improved Player award. Walker and Zellous were also named to the All-Big East First Team and freshman Jania Sims earned All-Freshman team honors. In 2005-06, Pitt concluded the season at 22-11, which at the ti me, ti ed the school record for wins. In additi on, the Panthers fi nished above .500 with a 9-7 Big East Conference record and secured a sixth-place fi nish -- the Panthers’ high-est since 1995. All of that success landed Pitt in the Women’s National Invitation Tournament for just the fourth ti me in school history -- something many had not predicted at the beginning of the season aft er being picked to fi nish 13th of 16 teams in the Big East Conference. The Panthers again sur-passed expectati ons advancing to the semifi nals of the WNIT with three victories. Two Pitt players earned All-Big East honors when Marcedes Walker (First Team) and Mallorie Winn (Second Team) were announced on March 3, 2006 at the conference’s annual banquet. Under Berenato’s guidance in 2004-05, the Panthers began to make signifi cant strides in becoming a top-notch program worthy of hosti ng an event such as the NCAA Tournament. On the court, Walker became the fi rst Pitt freshman in school history to nab All-Big East honors. Off the court, 10 of Berenato’s players earned at least a 3.0 grade-point average to give the Panthers an All-America Academic Team nominati on. The success is a credit to Berenato’s character and the fact that she practi ces what she preaches to her team. Her passion for women’s basketball has helped make her players bett er students and bett er people. She has things to do, goals to achieve, and plans to see them through – the faster, the bett er. Since joining Pitt from Georgia Tech prior to the 2003-04 season, Berenato has worked with her staff to make the Panthers a perennial post-season team. The success has been apparent, jumping from six wins in her fi rst year with the Panthers to 13 her second season and more than 20 wins each of the last four years (22, 24, 24, 25). Among her accomplishments at Pitt :• First appearance in the presti gious State Farm Tip Off Classic, featured nati onally on ESPN 2• Shawnice “Pepper” Wilson as a fi nalist for the
USA Basketball’s U19 team • Shavonte Zellous was named an Associated Press third team All-American• Shavonte Zellous became the fi rst Pitt player taken in the WNBA draft (11th overall, first round)• Set the school win record for the third straight season (25)• Highest ranking in school history -- No. 14 in AP and No. 15 in Coaches (2008-09)• Ranked No. 15 in the fi nal USA Today/ESPN Coaches poll (2008-09) for the program’s highest postseason ranking
• Back-to-back NCAA Sweet 16 appearances• The Panthers defeated the highest ranked team in school history -- No. 8 Maryland (2008-09)• Took the team on a tour of Italy and Greece in the Summer of 2008• The Panthers advanced to their fi rst-ever Sweet 16 appearance in 2008• A school record four wins over ranked teams in a season (2007-08)• Pitt was ranked No. 16 in the fi nal USA Today/ESPN Coaches poll (2007-08) for the program’s fi rst postseason ranking• Pitt was on nati onal or regional television 18 ti mes during the regular season in 2007-08• Pitt and Penn State marked the first ever women’s basketball TV broadcast on the Big Ten Network.• Pitt was ranked in the top 25 preseason polls for the fi rst ti me (both AP and USA Today/ESPN Coaches Polls)• Pitt was on ESPN2 for the fi rst ti me in the regu-lar season at Notre Dame (2-10-08)• Led Pitt to its fi rst-ever trip to the NCAA Tour-nament in 2007• Pitt won its fi rst-ever game in the NCAA Tour-
Berenato won her 100th game at Pitt during the 2008-09 season with a 72-63 win over West Virginia in the Backyard Brawl at the Petersen Events Center.
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ing ability, and she has been invited to be the keynote speaker at several local middle and high school events and banquets. The Greensburg YWCA Sportswoman’s Banquet, aucti oneer for Research for Women’s Health Issues and Magee Women’s Hospital luncheon keynote speaker are just a few of the events at which she has spoken. As she did in Atlanta, she also takes pride in speaking at the local Kiwanis, Lions, and Rotary Clubs in Western Pennsylvania. This past spring, Berenato spoke at the com-mencements of Oakland Catholic High School in Pitt sburgh and Seton Hill University, was the keynote speaker for ASPIRE (Area Students Par-ti cipati ng in Rewarding Educati on) and served as the honorary chair of the Girl Scouts of Disti ncti on Awards Luncheon and the East End Cooperati ve Ministry gala. As a popular speaker for Pitt alumni functi ons, Berenato has appeared from Napa, Calif., to Bal-
ti more/Potomac to Chicago, to name just a few. Locally, Berenato served as the commencement speaker at Mt. Alvernia High School, keynote speaker for Family Enterprise Award Banquet and the Big Brothers, Big Sisters annual dinner. She was also the keynote speaker for the 2007 Non-Profi t Leadership Conference and the 2006 YMCA State Conference and is an annual speaker at the YMCA Scholar-Athlete Banquet. In 2007 and 2008, Berenato served as a panelist on “Bal-ancing Family and Coaching” at the annual WBCA Conventi on at the Final Four. Her community projects include: Juvenile Diabetes, Read 365, Healthy for Life Conference and she co-hosted a basketball clinic with former Steeler’s Coach Bill
Cohwer for Family Resources, among her other acti viti es. Berenato reached a personal milestone in 2005 as she collected her 300th career victory with an 85-81 win over Big East foe Georgetown. Upon Berenato’s hiring, University of Pitt s-burgh Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg said, “We believe the University of Pitt sburgh women’s basketball program has unlimited potenti al, and in Agnus Berenato we have found the perfect person to make that potenti al a reality. Anyone who meets Agnus for the fi rst ti me cannot help but be impressed with both her knowledge and enthusiasm. Certainly with over 300 career victories, her ability as a coach is obvious. Just as exciti ng, Agnus has demonstrated a record of commitment to academics and the complete development of her student-athletes. It will be exciti ng to watch our program grow, on and off the court, under her leadership.” Guiding Georgia Tech to the postseason in each of her fi nal four years, including the 2003 NCAA Tournament, Berenato owned a 223-209 (.516) record with the Yellow Jackets. She mentored the team to its fi rst postseason championship by capturing the 1992 Nati onal Women’s Invitati onal Tournament, compiling a 20-13 overall record. In her fi nal season at Georgia Tech, the team finished 20-11 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. The Yellow Jackets upset No. 22 Georgia, 65-61, en route to starti ng the season with an 11-1 record. Berenato’s squad made it to the semifi nals of the ACC Tournament before falling to eventual champion and Final Four par-ti cipant Duke. The Yellow Jackets also recorded a school-record 10-game winning streak. In fi ve of her last seven seasons at Georgia Tech, Berenato led the Yellow Jackets to victories over top-15 opponents. A two-ti me recipient of the Women’s NCAA Division I Coach of the Year award in the state of Georgia by the Atlanta Tip-off Club, Berenato is a recognized recruiter as well as a successful coach. Her 2002 recruiting class was ranked among the top 15 in the nati on by such publica-ti ons as the All-Star Girls Report. Additi onally, Athlon magazine ranked her 2001 class 13th nati onally. Berenato has coached 13 all-conference hon-orees, including Walker, Winn and Zellous and Georgia Tech’s Sonja Mallory, who was selected in the WNBA Draft , chosen 24th overall by the New York Liberty. Berenato also served two years as an assis-tant coach at Georgia Tech (1986-87). She was responsible for recruiti ng and coaching Tech’s frontcourt players. Before arriving at Georgia Tech, Berenato spent four years as the head women’s basketball coach at Rider University, compiling a 60-55 record. In her fi rst season at Rider, Berenato guided the Broncs to their best record in school history with a 26-7 mark . Following that year, she was named New Jersey Coaches Associati on (NJCA) Coach of the Year for her eff orts while Rider was named its Team of the Year.
While at Rider, Berenato was also the women’s volleyball coach for four years, posti ng a 66-51 record, including a school-record 25-12 mark in 1983. She was inducted into the Rider Hall of Fame in February, 2002. A 1980 graduate of Mount St. Mary’s College in Emmitsburg, Md., Berenato earned her bach-elor’s degree in sociology and was a three-year starter on the basketball team. Playing for former NBA star and current ESPN analyst Fred Carter, she was a two-ti me captain for the Mountaineers and aft er serving eight years on the college’s Board of Trustees, she is a Trustee Emeritus. Berenato is currently a weekly voter in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll, a member of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Associati on (WBCA), the Naismith Hall of Fame committ ee and is a member of the Girl Scouts Alumnae As-sociati on. In the past, she has been a member of the Kodak All-America Selecti on Committ ee, East Regional Championship Committ ee, the Atlanta Women’s Network, Inc., the Georgia Women’s Intersport Network, and Atlanta Women in Sports. She also received the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Volunteer Award for exemplary volunteerism from the Jesse Draper Boys’ and Girls’ Club of Atlanta a few years ago. Additi onally, she was selected by the Insti tute of Internati onal Sports as one of its Sports Ethics Fellows in 1996. A nati ve of Gloucester City, N.J., Berenato and her husband Jack have fi ve children: Theresa Marie (26), Andrew (25), Joey (21), Clare (19) and Christi na (16).
Coach Berenato is a strong supporter for the fi ght against breast cancer. She joined forces with the
Susan G. Komen Foundati on and initi ated Pitt ’s annual Pink the Petersen event.
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JEFFWILLIAMS
ASSOCIATE HEAD COACHSEVENTH SEASON
Alma mater: Howard, 1987
Jeff Williams is in his seventh year on the Pitt women’s basketball staff and enters his fourth season as its Associate Head Coach under Head
Coach Agnus Berenato. With nearly two decades of basketball coaching experience, Williams works with the post players and assists in recruit-ing, preseason and postseason conditi oning, scouti ng and community involvement. “It is a tremendous honor to work for one of the best head coaches in the country,” said Williams on Berenato. “Agnus is an outstanding moti vator and teacher. We all look forward to the challange of trying to compete for a Big East and Nati onal Championship this year.” Williams’ work with the Panthers has been on display with the devel-opment of Marcedes Walker as she immediately became one of the top scorers and rebounders in the Big East Conference as a freshman. In 2006, Walker conti nued to be a dominant force in the paint earning All-Big East honors and in 2007, was not only named First Team All-Big East, but also a Division I Kodak/WBCA All-America. Williams was also instrumental in bringing in Pitt ’s most highly touted recruiti ng class over the past few years including Selena Nwude, ranked as the No. 4 center and No. 40 prospect overall. Before coming to Pitt , Williams spent two years on Berenato’s Georgia Tech coaching staff . In 2002-03, Williams helped the Yellow Jackets to a 20-11 record and a berth in the NCAA Tournament. Additi onally, for the second straight year, he helped bring in a nati onally ranked recruiti ng class, including two Street & Smith’s All-America honorees. The prior year, the Yellow Jackets’ class was ranked among the top 15 in the nati on by a number of recruiti ng services and media outlets, including a No. 11 ranking by the All-Star Girls Report. Williams has coached both men’s and women’s college basketball as well as professional basketball. Prior to Georgia Tech, he was the head coach for the Atlanta Justi ce where he helped lead the Nati onal Women’s Basketball League squad to both the regular-season and playoff champi-onships in 2001. Before joining the Justi ce, Williams served the previous fi ve years as an assistant coach and recruiti ng coordinator at Howard University in Washington, D.C. At Howard, Williams helped lead the team to four league ti tles and three NCAA Tournament appearances. His recruiti ng class during the 1997-98 season was ranked the nati on’s 12th best. A 1987 graduate of Howard with a degree in therapeuti c recreati on, Williams also was an assistant coach for the men’s teams at George Mason and South Carolina State. Williams is married to the former Tamecia McCoy and has one daughter, Montana (17/18) and a son McCoy Zachary (2).
CAROLINEMcCOMBS
ASSISTANT COACHFIFTH SEASON
Alma mater: Youngstown St., 1998
Caroline McCombs enters her eleventh season in the collegiate women’s basketball ranks and fi ft h season with the Pitt Women’s Basketball
team. Prior to coming to the University of Pitt sburgh, McCombs spent six seasons at Valparaiso University as both an assistant coach/recruiti ng coordinator and associate head coach. McCombs spearheads the Panthers recruiti ng eff orts. She is also re-sponsible for the development of Pitt ’s perimeter players, including former Panther and three-ti me All-Big East First Team member and Third-team All-America, Shavonte Zellous, as well as, All-Freshmen team members Jania Sims (2006-2007) and Taneisha Harrison (2007-2008). McCombs will conti nue to assist with scouti ng opponents and is responsible for scheduling Pitt ’s nonconference games. McCombs is also very acti ve in the community, speaking to the seven Panther Club chapters across the state. “We are excited to return nine lett erwinners from last year’s Sweet 16 team,” said McCombs. “Each season we have gained valuable experi-ence from our competi ti ve schedule and runs in the NCAA Tournament. Our ladies have been working hard on the court and in the weight room to compete for a Nati onal Championship!” McCombs, a nati ve of Medina, Ohio, began her career at Valparaiso University, coaching there from 1999-2005. Prior to the 2004-05 season, McCombs was promoted to associate head coach and maintained that positi on unti l joining the Panthers. During her career at Valparaiso, McCombs assisted the Crusaders in many team accomplishments. In 2001-02, the Crusaders won a school-record 26 games and advanced to the WNIT quarterfi nals, were Mid-Conti nent Conference regular-season champions and tournament fi nalists and posted the top turnaround of any Division I school. That success was repeated in the 2003-04 season as the Crusaders were the Mid-Conti nent Conference Tournament champions. McCombs also coached the Crusad-ers to two NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament appearances during the 2003 and 2004 seasons. In additi on to their work on the court, Valparaiso earned a spot among the WBCA Academic Top 25 teams from 1999-2004. McCombs graduated from Youngstown State in 1998 with a degree in dieti cs. While att ending Youngstown State, McCombs earned an impres-sive list of accomplishments for the Penguins’ basketball team, including places on the Mid-Conti nent Conference Second Team in 1996 and 1998, and on the Mid-Conti nent All-Tournament Team three consecuti ve years from 1996-98. She also left her mark in the record books at Youngstown State. At guard she started 112 of 115 career games and scored 1,577 career points, fi nishing her career as the school’s sixth leading scorer. McCombs is also among the school leaders with 146 career three-pointers, 493 assists, and 236 steals. Aft er McCombs graduated from Youngstown State, she played Euro-pean professional women’s basketball, competi ng in the Czech Basketball Federati on and European Cup in 1998. She conti nued her educati on, receiving her master’s degree from Valparaiso in 2001. That year, she was also inducted into the Medina County Sports Hall of Fame in Ohio. McCombs was inducted into the Youngstown State Athleti cs Hall of Fame in October 2008.
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YOLETT MCPHEE-MCCUIN
ASSISTANT COACHSECOND SEASON
Alma mater: Rhode Island, 2004
MARK RHODEHAMEL
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONSTHIRD SEASON
Alma mater: SUNY Oswego, 2003
Yolett McPhee-McCuin enters her second season as an assistant coach with the Pitt women’s basketball program. McPhee-McCuin came to
Pitt from the University of Portland, where she served as an assistant during the 2007-08 season. At Pitt , McPhee-McCuin will serve a role in recruiti ng, as the staff ’s academic liaison and will be a vital part of player development and on-fl oor coaching. “This year has been an awesome experience and a blessing for me. My fi rst Sweet 16 experience was second to none,” McPhee-McCuin said. I am excited to move on and prepare for an even further run in the NCAA’s this upcoming season!” A former point guard at Rhode Island, McPhee-McCuin went on to coach one year at Frank Phillips College in Borger, Texas, and two years at the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff . While at Pine Bluff , McPhee-Mc-Cuin earned her Master’s degree in physical educati on, graduati ng with a perfect 4.0 grade point average. Throughout her career, McPhee-McCuin has made a great impact at every stop. At Frank Phillips, she helped a down program to a 16-13 record. As a coach for two seasons at Arkansas Pine-Bluff , she helped to develop league all-freshman team member Arica Green and aided the squad to its fi rst postseason appearance in the SWAC Tournament. At the University of Portland, McPhee-McCuin spearheaded the recruit-ing eff orts and, in additi on to working primarily with the guards, she also was in charge of the marketi ng eff orts. Portland clinched a 14-15 record, which was the best in 10 years, and directed guard Kati e Burris, who went from averaging less than one point per game, to all-conference honorable menti on honors. As a player at Rhode Island, McPhee-McCuin played in 56 games in two seasons and helped lead the Rams to the 2004 Atlanti c-10 Confer-ence championship game. McPhee-McCuin began her collegiate career at Miami-Dade Community College, where she averaged 9.0 points and 6.9 assists per game. She was an all-state and all-region selecti on and ranked third in the nati on in assists per game in 2002. McPhee-McCuin has broken many barriers for a female from the Baha-mas. She was the fi rst Bahamian female to graduate high school and sign a Nati onal Lett er of Intent to a Division I school for basketball and became the fi rst to coach at a Division I school as well. In the Bahamas, McPhee-McCuin developed a foundati on known as “Back2Basics”, which is geared to the development of young boys and girls through educati on and sports. As a point guard, she led the 18U Junior Nati onal Team to a silver medal in the FIBA Nati onal Games. McPhee-McCuin is a proud member of the “So You Want to be a Coach” program through the WBCA, and the Black Coaches and Administrators Associati on. She resides in Pitt sburgh with her husband, Kelly McCuin.
Mark Rhodehamel enters his third season as Pitt ’s Director of Basketball Operati ons aft er serving as the Panthers’ Faciliti es and Operati ons
Assistant for one year. As the director of women’s basketball operati ons, Rhodehamel co-ordinates and oversees all travel for the women’s basketball team, most recently including a second NCAA journey originati ng on the west coast and culminati ng in a Sweet Sixteen appearance. He also serves as the program’s liaison to numerous offi ces throughout the campus, community and within the athleti c department. In additi on, Rhodehamel acts as the co-director for Coach Berenato’s summer basketball camps. Rhodehamel also fi nds ti me to give back to the Pitt sburgh Community alongside the program’s popular coaches and players. The Panthers log signifi cant com-munity service hours including free basketball clinics and most recently, a trip to the Greater Pitt sburgh Community Food Bank. Prior to his more direct work with the women’s basketball team, Rhode-hamel acted as the Assistant Tournament Manager for the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship fi rst and second rounds held at the Petersen Events Center. “From the employees that greeted our guests at the airport all the way through the conclusion of the opening rounds at the Petersen, our City of Champions shined as a host in 2007,” said Rhodehamel. “I am thrilled that we will be playing this season for the opportunity to advance to the Sweet Sixteen for a third consecuti ve year in front of a packed house of our own fans. Our ladies defeated two opponents [Montana and Gonzaga hours from their home campuses] and fell to a third [Oklahoma, minutes from their home campus] in front of thousands of opposing fans last year. We’ll be relying heavily on our Panther fans to create the same supporti ve atmosphere for us once we earn our fourth consecuti ve NCAA Tournament berth.” Also in his fi rst year at PITT, Rhodehamel aided with faciliti es updates and game day operati ons for basketball, football, gym-nasti cs, wrestling and volleyball. In 2006, Rhodehamel worked as an Operati ons Intern for the Mellon Arena/SMG. His main responsibility was to aid the front of house Event Manager with events ranging from NHL games to family events such as Disney on Ice. The 2003 graduate of SUNY Oswego earned his degree in Public Justi ce while serving as a three-ti me captain of the men’s swimming team. His athleti c career was highlighted by capturing the Eastern Zone 200-meter free relay record in the summer of 2000, medaling fi ve ti mes at the SUNY Conference meet and medaling three ti mes in the 2002 Empire State games. Rhodehamel later served as a coach on the Empire State Games, Liverpool High School, and Liverpool JETS Swim Club staff s. In 2006, Rhodehamel earned his Master’s of Science in Sport Manage-ment from Slippery Rock University. He resides in Munhall with his wife, Laura.
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2009-10 Pitt Women’s Basketball2 0 0 8 a n d 2 0 0 9 N C A A T o u r n a m e n t S w e e t 1 6 P a r t i c i p a n t
2009-10 OUTLOOKA hard-nosed player that gives it all on the court both in games and in practi ce...will look to take more of a leadership role as the veteren of the Panther team this season.
REDSHIRT JUNIOR SEASON (2008-09)Sophronia Sallard appeared in all 33 games, starti ng 19 during her junior season with the Panthers…started the fi nal 19 games of the season…scored 14 points in a victory over instate rival Penn State…scored 12 points and was a perfect fi ve-for-fi ve from the fi eld against Youngstown State…recorded a season-high eight rebounds against Wagner…scored 11 points and added fi ve rebounds at Florida A&M…scored a career-high 20 points in Pitt ’s overti me win at Rutgers…scored 13 points and added fi ve assists at Louisville…scored 10 points on a perfect fi ve-for-fi ve from the fi eld in a victory over St. John’s…ti ed a season-high with three steals in the win over Gonzaga during the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
REDSHIRT SOPHOMORE SEASON (2007-08)Sophronia Sallard played in 32 games during the season, while starti ng eight...named ESPN.com’s Player of the Day for her eff orts against Wyoming in the NCAA Tournament...posted a career game with 15 points against Wyoming, including 13 in the fi rst half...started in the overti me win over #13 WVU grabbing eight rebounds and scoring six points...earned her fi rst start at Pitt and grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds in the win over Seton Hall...played substanti al minutes in the win at Vil-lanova contributi ng on defense...had valuable minutes at St. John’s, helping Pitt to the win with two points, two rebounds and two blocks...played 19 minutes at Wagner adding eight points and a career-high six steals...had a career night against Cal Poly with 10 points in 20 minutes of play...grabbed a career-high four rebounds in win over Mount St. Mary’s...sat out most of the preseason with minor injuries...gained more and more minutes as the season progressed.
SOPHOMORE SEAON (2006-07)Due to transfer eligibility rules, Sallard sat out the 2006-07 season.
FRESHMAN SEASON (2005-06)As a freshman with the Jayhawks, she played in 15 games with one start...averaged 1.8 points and 1.3 rebounds per game in limited acti on...recorded a six-rebound game versus New Orleans and posted a solid performance at nati onally ranked Oklahoma with three points, four rebounds and two assists.
HIGH SCHOOLA star out of Notti ngham High School, Sallard was listed by Blue Star as the 25th-ranked player in the nati on...earned fi rst-team all-league honors, named CNY Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005, the Metro Player of the Year, and a fi ft h-team Street & Smith’s All-American as a junior...ranked the 15th-best wing player and 88th-best player in the country by Mike White’s adidas Top 10 All-Star Girls Report.
PERSONALSophronia Sallard was born on April 30, 1987...is the daughter of the late Deborah Sallard and Greg Jones...has four brothers, Damon, Daquan, Kareem and Jarvis and two sisters, Shameera and Simia...an administrati on of justi ce major.
CAREER HIGHSPoints: 20 at Rutgers (2-10-09)Rebounds: 10 vs Seton Hall (2-6-08)Assists: 6 at Western Michigan (11-20-08) Steals: 6 at Wagner (12-30-07)Blocks: 3 vs. WKU (12-30-08)FG Made: 9 at Rutgers (2-10-09)FG Att empted: 15 at Rutgers (2-10-09)3-pt. FG Made: 1, seven ti mes; last vs. Montana (3-21-09)3-pt. FG Att empted: 3, twice; last at FAMU (12-19-08)FT Made: 4 at FAMU (12-19-08)FT Att empted: 5, twice; last at FAMU (12-19-08)Minutes: 37 vs. Wyoming (3-22-08)
2009-10 OUTLOOKLooks to return aft er appearing in just one game last season...will provide instant spark to the Panther off ense as a potent off ensive threat.
JUNIOR SEASON (2008-09)Played in just one game before being sidelined by for the remainder of the season...was 2-of-2 from the charity stripe with one assist in fi ve minutes of acti on against Texas A&M.
SOPHOMORE SEASON (2007-08)Jania scored 13 points, had fi ve rebounds, four as-sists and three steals in win over James Madison...
for the remainder of the season...was 2 of 2 fromthe charity stripe with one assist in fi ve minutes of acti on against Texas A&M.
SOPHOMORE SEASON (2007-08)Jania scored 13 points, had fi ve rebounds, four as-sisiststss anandd ththrereee ststeaealsls i inn wiwinn ovoverer J Jamameses M Madadison...
matched her career-high of 17 points against Cal Poly in just 24 minutes on 7 of 11 shooti ng...scored a career-high 17 points against Duke at the Mag-gie Dixon Classic in Madison Square Garden...Pitt ’s most consistent player at Maryland, scoring 14 points, fi ve steals, four assists and three rebounds...scored Pitt ’s fi rst fi ve points in win over Arizona and went on to a 12-point game...scored 12 points and added fi ve rebounds and three assists in win over Charlott e...sat out the second half of the season due to ineligibility.
FRESHMAN SEASON (2006-07)Sims was named the starti ng point guard for the Panthers shortly aft er a season-ending injury to All-Big East guard Mallorie Winn...Sims played in all 33 games while starti ng 29...named to the Big East
CAREER HIGHSPoints: 17 twice last vs. Cal Poly (12-18-07)Rebounds: 12 vs. DePaul (2-24-07)Assists: 11 vs. Cincinnati (3-4-07)Steals: 5 at Maryland (11-27-07)Blocks: 2 twice; last vs. WVU (2-20-07)FG Made: 7, three ti mes last vs. Cal Poly (12-18-07)FG Att empted: 14, twice last at Maryland (11-27-07)3-pt. FG Made: 2 twice last vs. Cal Poly (12-18-07)3-pt. FG Att empted: 4 vs. RMU (12-5-06)FT Made: 8 vs. Robert Morris (12-5-06)FT Att empted: 8 twice; last vs. James Madison (3-18-07)Minutes: 42 vs. Marquett e (1-9-07)
All-Freshman team...scored 11 points, including 7 of 8 from the free throw line, and had fi ve assists in the fi rst round of the NCAA Tournament...had a solid game vs. Marquett e in the Big East Tour-nament with nine points, seven assists and four rebounds...set her career high with 11 assists and just two turnovers vs. Cincinnati in the Big East Tournament...just missed a triple-double with 12 rebounds, nine points and nine assists in win over DePaul...contributed six rebounds and fi ve assists vs. WVU...scored nine and added fi ve assists and four rebounds at Connecti cut...played 37 minutes in win over Cincinnati , adding six points and three rebounds...grabbed a career-high 10 rebounds and added seven points in win over Villanova...led the team at Providence with six assists on the day...returned to the starti ng lineup vs. Notre Dame contributing nine points, seven assists and six rebounds...had eight points, a career-high eight rebounds and seven assists in win over Marquett e...hit all six free throw att empts in the last :27 to clinch win over Robert Morris...fi nished the RMU game with 13 points and a season-best seven rebounds...played 39 minutes in win over Penn State logging seven points, seven assists and six rebounds...led the team with 16 points and 38 minutes at Akron in the win...grabbed a key off ensive rebound with ti me running down in Pitt ’s last-second win over Boise State...also dished out the assist to Shavonte Zellous, who hit a game-winning three-pointer with 1.8 seconds remaining...hit key free throws down the stretch in Pitt ’s win over Utah...had six points and fi ve assists in win at St. Bonaventure...nearly picked up a triple-double with nine assists, eight points and six rebounds in win over Mount St. Mary’s...earned a start in her fi rst collegiate game, scoring 12 points.
www.pittsburghpanthers.com
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2009-10 Pitt Women’s Basketball2 0 0 8 a n d 2 0 0 9 N C A A T o u r n a m e n t S w e e t 1 6 P a r t i c i p a n t
Opponent MIN FG 3PT FT R A B S PTSTexas A&M 5 0-3 0-0 2-2 0 1 0 0 2Western Michigan ---DNP-inj.---Penn State ---DNP-inj.---Elon ---DNP-inj.---Youngstown State ---DNP-inj.---Duquesne ---DNP-inj.---Maryland ---DNP-inj.---West Virginia State ---DNP-inj.---Wagner ---DNP-inj.---Florida A&M ---DNP-inj.---Florida ---DNP-inj.---Western Kentucky ---DNP-inj.---West Virginia ---DNP-inj.---Providence ---DNP-inj.---DePaul ---DNP-inj.---USF ---DNP-inj.---Seton Hall ---DNP-inj.---Syracuse ---DNP-inj.---Georgetown ---DNP-inj.---Marquett e ---DNP-inj.---Notre Dame ---DNP-inj.---Rutgers ---DNP-inj.---Connecti cut ---DNP-inj.---Villanova ---DNP-inj.---Cincinnati ---DNP-inj.---West Virginia ---DNP-inj.---Louisville ---DNP-inj.---St. John’s ---DNP-inj.---DePaul ---DNP-inj.---Louisville ---DNP-inj.---Montana ---DNP-inj.---Gonzaga ---DNP-inj.---Oklahoma ---DNP-inj.---
2008-09 GAME BY GAMEHIGH SCHOOLSims guided Shabazz to an unprecedented fi ft h straight Essex County Tournament ti tle, to a third Tournament of Champions ti tle in four years and a No. 8 ranking nati onally by USA Today aft er a perfect 33-0 season...averaged 11.8 points, 6.4 assists and 3.2 steals per game as a senior, earning All-Newark and All-Essex County First Team honors...a Star-Ledger All-Senior Team and All-Pickpocket Team member as well, Sims was a 2005 candidate for New Jersey Miss Basketball and earned NJSIAA North All-Star Team honors...as a senior, Sims surpassed the 1,000-point plateau and fi nished her Bulldog career with 1,197 points...named the Most Improved Player in the county by the Star-Ledger, which gave Shabazz its presti gious Team of the Year honor...honored as second-team all-state, the Watchung Conference Player of the Year and to the All-Watchung Conference Team...four-year starter at Shabazz and led the Bulldogs to an impressive overall mark of 117 wins and only nine losses...recorded a school-record 169 assists as a junior, surpassing the previous school record of 151 held by All-Big East selecti on Matee Ajavon of Rutgers.
PERSONALJania Sims was born on May 17, 1988...daughter of Denise and Richard Sims...has one brother, Jabir and two sisters, Jakia anf Janel...social sciences major.
www.pittsburghpanthers.com
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2009-10 Pitt Women’s Basketball2 0 0 8 a n d 2 0 0 9 N C A A T o u r n a m e n t S w e e t 1 6 P a r t i c i p a n t
CHELSEA COLE226-3 • Jr. • ForwardLumberton, N.J.Rancocas Valley HS
CAREER HIGHSPoints: 17 vs. Seton Hall (2-6-08)Rebounds: 12 vs. USF (1-17-09)Assists: 4 at Marquett e (2-23-08)Steals: 4 vs. Cincinnati (2-21-09)Blocks: 5, three ti mes; last vs. Gonzaga (3-23-09)FG Made: 8 vs. Seton Hall (2-6-08)FG Att empted: 9, four ti mes last vs. WVSU (12-13-08)3-pt. FG Made: N/A3-pt. FG Att empted: N/AFT Made: 5 vs. Syracuse (1-9-08)FT Att empted: 6 vs. Arizona (11-10-07)Minutes: 30 at Providence (1-7-09)
2009-10 OUTLOOKWith the loss of Marcedes Walker to graduati on, Chelsea will be expected to play a substanti al role in the paint this season...more of a fi nesse post and is quick on her feet.
SOPHOMORE SEASON (2008-09)Chelsea Cole appeared in 32 games, serving as a key reserve during her sopho-more season with the Panthers…scored a season-high 11 points against West Virginia State…grabbed a career-high 12 rebounds in Pitt ’s 32-point victory over South Florida…provided key spark off the bench by scoring nine points, grabbing 11 rebounds and adding, a career-high tying, fi ve blocked shots in a two-point victory at Syracuse…tallied an impressive eight rebound, six point, four steal and two block performance in Pitt ’s victory over Cincinnati …ti ed a season and career-high with fi ve blocked shots in the Gonzaga win during the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
FRESHMAN SEASON (2007-08)Named to the Big East All-Freshman Team..Played in all 35 games and earned a start in fi ve of those contests...scored 10 points and had a career-high four assists at Marquett e...had eight rebounds and six points against Connecti cut...led all scorers and set her career high with 17 against Seton Hall...also earned her fi rst career start in that win...gave a solid performance against Providence with seven points and seven rebounds...had an outstanding game at Cincinnati with 10 rebounds, eight points and a team season-best fi ve blocks...came off the bench to score six points and seven rebounds...had a solid game at No. 15 DePaul with nine rebounds and eight points in the win...pulled down eight rebounds in 44-point win at Wagner...had eight rebounds in 24 minutes in the win over Duquesne...came off the bench at Maryland and added solid minutes in the post for Pitt with fi ve points and fi ve rebounds...earned her fi rst double-digit rebound game at Mount St. Mary’s with 11...had a strong game against Arizona with eight points and six rebounds in 14 minutes...began her collegiate career playing eight minutes against Charlott e and grabbing four rebounds.
HIGH SCHOOLCole att ended Rancocas Valley High School...fi nished her career with 1,334 points and over 1,000 rebounds...averaged 19 points, 17 rebounds and three blocks per game as a senior...Cole was named All-State two ti mes, All-Area once, All-South Jersey three ti mes and All-Burlington County three ti mes...was named Gatorade Rookie of the Year as a freshman...in 2005, Cole broke the school record for most points for a sophomore in a single season with a total of 360...Cole also broke a school record by grabbing 29 rebounds in a game and holds the record for most blocked shots in a single game with 11...Cole is a three ti me All-Liberty Division and All-Burlington County fi rst team honoree and a two-ti me Burlington County All-Star...as a starter in her junior season, she averaged 16 points 17 rebounds and six blocks per game...Cole was named the 50th best player in the country by the All Star Girls Report.
PERSONALChelsea Cole is the daughter of Terry Cole and Edward Woods…born July 16, 1989...has one brother Jordan…undeclared.
2009-10 Pitt Women’s Basketball2 0 0 8 a n d 2 0 0 9 N C A A T o u r n a m e n t S w e e t 1 6 P a r t i c i p a n t
TANEISHA HARRISON106-0 • Jr. • GuardBowie, Md.St. John’s College HS
2009-10 OUTLOOKAggressive and tough guard who will dive aft er loose balls...should be a big contribu-tor to the lineup this season as she can play four posti ons if needed...Can score from nearly anywhere on the court.
SOPHOMORE SEASON (2008-09)Taneisha Harrison appeared in all 33 games, starti ng 13 during her sophomore season with the Panthers…played 38 minutes off the bench in Pitt ’s opener against No. 10 Texas A&M, scoring 12 points and adding fi ve rebounds…scored 16 points and added a season-high seven rebounds against Youngstown State…recorded a career-high 12 assists in Pitt ’s 29-point victory over No. 8 Maryland… scored 17 points against Wagner…contributed 13 points, six rebounds and three assists off the bench in a two-point victory at Syracuse…hit 7-of-11 fi eld goals for 15 points against Marquett e…came off the bench and scored a season-high tying 17 points in a victory over Notre Dame.
FRESHMAN SEASON (2007-08)Named to the Big East All-Freshman Team..Played in all 35 games on the year and started four...contributed strong minutes off the bench in the win over #13 WVU -- scored eight points and had three steals...earned a start at Marquett e and added three points and two rebounds in 28 minutes...grabbed a season-high eight rebounds...came off the bench to score 13 in Pitt ’s win over Seton Hall...led the Panthers with 18 points in the win over Louisville...dished out a season-best fi ve assists and scored seven in Pitt ’s win at Cincinnati ...scored 11 off the bench in Pitt ’s win over Syracuse...had an outstanding game at Wagner scoring 23 points in just 21 minutes...she surpassed her previous career high of 12 points in the fi rst half alone with 13 points...played 31 minutes in her start against Duke at the Maggie Dixon Classic in Madison Square Garden...earned her fi rst career start against Harvard...one of Pitt ’s most aggressive players at Maryland, scoring six points in 20 minutes...scored 11 points in 25 minutes in the win over Arizona...played her fi rst collegiate acti on against Charlott e scoring three points and adding three rebounds.
HIGH SCHOOLTaneisha Harrison helped St John’s College High School to a IAABO Girls Invitati onal Tournament Championship as a freshman, a Dell Curry Tournament Championship as a sophomore and a Bishop Walsh Invitati onal Girls Championship as a sopho-more....Owned a career fi eld goal percentage of 68 percent...Averaged 16 points, nine rebounds and 4.5 assists per game as a senior on her way to being named a Third Team All-Met...the 6-0 guard earned WCAC third team all-conference honors as a sophomore and WCAC second team all conference honors as a junior...Harrison was also a co-high scorer in the Bishop Walsh Invitati onal Girls Tournament and was named Honorable Menti on All-Met by the Washington Post...as a starter in her junior season, Harrison averaged 15 points, eight rebounds and three assists per game…Har-rison was invited to att end the adidas Top Ten Camp as a sophomore...a member of the 2005-06 Fairfax Stars Nike Elite Travel Team, fi nishing second place in 2005...in the 15U division, Harrison advanced with her team to the AAU Nati onals...in 2004 she received the United States Nati onal Physical Educati on Award with a 3.0 GPA.
PERSONALTaneisha Harrison is the daughter of Trina and Michael Harrison…born Dec. 14, 1989...has one sibling Michael…undeclared.
CAREER HIGHS
Points: 23 at Wagner (12-30-07)Rebounds: 8 at Notre Dame (2-10-08)Assists: 12 vs. Maryland (12-7-08)Steals: 3, fi ve ti mes; last vs. Youngstown State (11-29-08)Blocks: 2, twice; last at Seton Hall (1-20-09)FG Made: 9 at Wagner (12-30-07)FG Att empted: 15 vs. USF (1-17-09)3-pt. FG Made: 3, three ti mes; last vs. WKU (12-30-08)3-pt. FG Att empted: 6 vs. USF (1-17-09)FT Made: 6 vs. Wagner (12-16-08)FT Att empted: 10 vs. Wagner (12-16-08)Minutes: 38 vs. Texas A&M (11-16-08)
Points: 14 at UConn (2-17-07)Rebounds: 10 vs. USF (1-20-07)Assists: 1 vs. East Carolina (12-19-06)Steals: 1, twice; last at Seton Hall (1-20-09)Blocks: 2 twice; last at UConn (2-13-07)FG Made: 5 at UConn (2-13-07)FG Att empted: 10 at UConn (2-13-07)3-pt. FG Made: N/A3-pt. FG Att empted: N/AFT Made: 4 at UConn (2-13-07)FT Att empted: 10 at UConn (2-13-07)Minutes: 21 at UConn (2-17-07)
2009-10 OUTLOOKLooking forward to fi rst injury-free season...will add depth to the post for the Panhters and be a big presence in the paint.
JUNIOR SEASON (2008-09)Nwude returned from a season-ending injury in 2007-08 midway through the season and played in 16 games for the Panthers...scored a season-high eight points on 4-of-5 shooti ng from the fi eld and grabbed three rebounds in nine minutes of acti on off the bench in her fi rst game back against Western Kentucky...grabbed a season-high four rebounds at Connecti cut in 15 minutes of playing ti me...tallied four points and three rebounds against Oklahoma in the NCAA Tournament.
SOPHOMORE SEASON (2007-08)Selena Nwude sat out the 2007-08 season to recover from a knee injury and took a medical redshirt.
FRESHMAN SEASON (2006-07)Nwude played in 27 games for the Panthers as a rookie...sat out the remainder of the season with a knee injury suff ered in the fi nal regular season game at George-town...grabbed nine rebounds vs. West Virginia...had her best game of the season at Connecti cut with 14 points and seven rebounds in 21 minutes...contributed fi ve points and four rebounds in win at Providence...had a then-career-high points and rebounds with 10 and 10 vs. USF...the 10 points and 10 rebounds marked her fi rst career double-double...scored fi ve points in 10 minutes against St. John’s...gave the team great minutes in the win over Marquett e adding six points and three rebounds...had a then-season-high six rebounds vs. East Carolina...scored a career-high nine points and fi ve rebounds in win over Boise State...played 14 key minutes with Marcedes Walker on the bench in foul trouble...scored on a bucket under the basket and added the free throw to give Pitt a lead at the half vs. Utah...scored seven points in win over Mount St. Mary’s...played 10 minutes in her fi rst collegiate game, a win over California (Pa.).
HIGH SCHOOLNwude enters college aft er being ranked No. 14 overall and second among centers by Scout.com...the All-Star Girls Report ranked her as the nati on’s No. 4 center and No. 40 prospect overall...Nwude has a long wingspan at 6-5 and helped Eleanor Roosevelt High School to the 2005 Maryland state championship...Nwude is a two-ti me all-county honoree and was named All-Metropolitan [Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C.] and The Gazett e All-Prince George County as a junior in 2005. In additi on, she earned a nominati on for DC Metropolitan Area Player of the Year in 2005-06...As a junior, Nwude averaged 16 points, 12 rebounds and nine blocks per game...Nwude was invited to parti cipate in the presti gious Adidas Top 10 Camp in the summer of 2006.
PERSONALSelena Nwude was born March 17, 1988...is the daughter of Glenda and Emmanuel Nwude...has one sister, Tasha and one brother, Emmanuel Jr...psychology major.
2009-10 Pitt Women’s Basketball2 0 0 8 a n d 2 0 0 9 N C A A T o u r n a m e n t S w e e t 1 6 P a r t i c i p a n t
SHAYLA SCOTT256-1 • Jr. • GuardMonroeville, Pa.Gateway HS
CAREER HIGHS
2009-10 OUTLOOKWill show her versati lity as both a prominent post player as well as a shooter who can step behind the arc and bury the jumper...will be seen in more of a leadership role with the departure of All-American Shavonte Zellous.
SOPHOMORE SEASON (2008-09)Shayla Scott started in all 33 games for the Panthers during her sophomore sea-son...averaged 8.7 points per game and a team-high 6.7 rebounds per game...notched fi ve double-doubles on the year...set career-high numbers in every sta-ti sti cal category, including rebounds with 18 against Notre Dame...went 5-for-9 and added six rebounds in Pitt ’s 86-57 dismantling of No. 8 Maryland...hit two key three pointers in overti me to seal a victory over Rutgers on the road...was 4-of-6 from the fi eld and fi nished with 11 points against Montana in the NCAA First Round game.
FRESHMAN SEASON (2007-08)Shayla Scott played in 28 games during the season and started 11...she suff ered an ankle injury during the season that hampered her playing ti me...scored nine points on 4-of-6 shooti ng against Connecti cut...returned from an injury that kept her out four games to score nine points in 17 minutes in win at DePaul...earned her fi rst career double-double against Ohio with 12 points and 10 rebounds...scored 10 points and added three assists and two blocks in win at Mount St. Mary’s in 26 minutes...grabbed nine rebounds in win over Arizona...earned a start in her fi rst career game scoring nine points and adding eight rebounds in 30 minutes.
HIGH SCHOOLShayla Scott enters Pitt ranked as the No. 145th overall and 27th best forward in the country by the All-Star Girls Report...named to the fab fi ve WPIAL QUAD A in her junior season and was a second team WPIAL QUAD A honoree in her sophomore year...Scott is a three-ti me third team all-state honoree and has earned numerous player of the week honors by the Post-Gazett e...as a freshman, Scott was named the Eat ‘n Park Hospitality Group Freshman Player of the Year...as a sophomore she was named to the AAU Nati onal Championship All-America team...as a junior Scott averaged 15.8 points, eight rebounds and three assists per game.
PERSONALShayla Scott is the daughter of Jennifer Bruce Scott , a former player and second leading scorer in Pitt women’s basketball history, and Rod Scott …has one brother Tyler (15)...Niece of current Pitt Associate AD and former Pitt women’s basketball coach Kirk Bruce…member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committ ee (SAAC) and Blue and Gold society...graduated high school with honors...media and professional communicati ons major.
Points: 14 vs. WVSU (12-13-08)Rebounds: 18 vs. Notre Dame (2-3-09)Assists: 4, twice; last vs. Maryland (12-7-08)Assists: 4, twice; last vs. Maryland (12-7-08)Steals: 3, twice; last vs. DePaul (3-8-09)Blocks: 4 vs. Syracuse (1-9-08)FG Made: 6 at Syracuse (1-24-09)FG Att empted: 14 at Rutgers (2-10-09)3-pt. FG Made: 3, three ti mes last vs. Louisville (3-9-09)3-pt. FG Att empted: 7, twice; last vs. Louisville (3-9-09)FT Made: 7 vs. Wagner (12-16-08)FT Att empted: 8 vs. Wagner (12-16-08)Minutes: 40 at Rutgers (2-10-09)
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2009-10 Pitt Women’s Basketball2 0 0 8 a n d 2 0 0 9 N C A A T o u r n a m e n t S w e e t 1 6 P a r t i c i p a n t
SARAH OGOKE245-9 • So. • GuardSugar Land, TexasDulles HS
2009-10 OUTLOOKA hard worker who will look to improve and build off a solid freshman cam-paign.
FRESHMAN SEASON (2008-09)Ogoke played in 23 games as a freshman...played in her fi rst collegiate game against Texas A&M...scored three points in 14 minutes of acti on at Western Michigan...was 3-for-3 from the fi eld against Youngstown State, fi nishing with six points...scored a season-high eight points aft er going 2-for-2 from behind the arc as well as at the free throw line and added three assists against Wagner...grabbed a season-high four rebounds against Oklahoma in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament
HIGH SCHOOLSarah Ogoke helped lead Dulles High to a 34-5 record her senior season and two district championships...First Team All-District 23 5A in 2007-08 and second team in 2006-07...Texas Associati on of Basketball Coaches All-Region Team...Houston Top 20 Award winner...Greater Houston Area Associati on All-Star...averaged 10.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 4.0 steals from the wing...named Dulles Best All-Around Athlete in 2007-08...also a three-year lett erwinner in track...Nati onal Honor Society candidate, who won the Academic Excellence Award.
PERSONALOgoke is the daughter of Edith and Samuel Ejiogu…born June 25, 1990...has one brother, Samuel (14) and three step siblings, Nneka, Adaeze and Amanze...plans to major in pharmacy.
CAREER HIGHSPoints: 8 vs. Wagner (12-16-08)Rebounds: 4 vs. Oklahoma (3-29-09)Assists: 3 vs. Wagner (12-16-08)Steals: 1, four ti mes; last vs. Oklahoma (3-29-09)Blocks: 1 at Providence (1-7-09)FG Made: 3 vs. Youngstown State (11-29-08)FG Att empted: 5 at Western Michigan (11-20-08)3-pt. FG Made: 2 vs. Wagner (12-16-08)3-pt. FG Att empted: 4 at Providence (1-7-09)FT Made: 2, twice; last at Louisville (2-28-09)FT Att empted: 2, four ti mes; last at Louisville (2-28-09)Minutes: 14, twice; last vs. Wagner (12-16-08)
2009-10 Pitt Women’s Basketball2 0 0 8 a n d 2 0 0 9 N C A A T o u r n a m e n t S w e e t 1 6 P a r t i c i p a n t
KATE POPOVEC506-3 • So. • CenterCanfi eld, OhioCanfi eld HS
CAREER HIGHSPoints: 17 vs. WVSU (12-13-08)Rebounds: 13 at Western Michigan (11-20-08)Assists: 3 vs. WVSU (12-13-08)Steals: 1, four ti mes; last vs. WKU (12-30-08)Blocks: 4 vs. Wagner (12-16-08)FG Made: 7 at Duquesne (12-3-08)FG Att empted: 7, four ti mes; last vs. WKU (12-30-08)3-pt. FG Made: N/A3-pt. FG Att empted: N/A FT Made: 5 vs. WVSU (12-13-08)FT Att empted: 8 vs. WVSU (12-13-08)Minutes: 24 at Duquesne (12-3-08)
2009-10 OUTLOOKPopovec enters the 2009-10 season coming off a solid freshman campaign...can play the four or fi ve and has shown the tenacity needed to play the post in the competi ti ve Big East Conference...looks to be more of an off ensive factor with the departure of the Panthers’ two leading scorers due to graduati on.
FRESHMAN SEASON (2008-09)Kate Popovec played in 27 games during the 2008-09 season, making one start...collected a season-high 13 rebounds at Western Michigan in her second career-game, adding eight points and an assist in the winning eff ort...tallied two double-doubles on the year, at Duquesne (15 points and 12 rebounds) and against West Virginia State (17 points and 10 rebounds)...17 points scored against WVSU was a season-high...missed a double-double against Villanova by one rebound, scoring 12 points and grabbing nine rebounds against the Wildcats...prior to injurying her ankle in early January, Popovec led the Panthers in rebounds, grabbing 7.2 per game off the bench...earned her fi rst start against DePaul on March 8.
HIGH SCHOOLKate Popovec was a Sporti ng News Honorable Menti on All-America...McDon-ald’s All-America nominee...three-ti me All-State team member at Canfi eld High including a fi rst team nod in 2008...four-ti me All-MAC Conference fi rst team member...three-ti me All-MAC Player of the Year...four-ti me All-Northeastern Ohio Inland District team member...All-Northeastern Ohio Inland District Player of the Year in 2008...Ohio Girls Basketball Report named Popovec to their Dream Team...at Canfi eld High School, Popovec broke numerous school records including 1,400 points and 1,100 rebounds...also holds the school record for single game blocked shots (10) and single season blocks (84)...hit the 1,000-point milestone early in her senior year...member of the Nati onal Honor Society and holds a standing in the top 10 in her graduati ng class.
PERSONALDaughter of Ken and Renee Popovec...has two sisters -- Michelle (29) and Julianne (21)...born March 20, 1990...sister Michelle played basketball at Al-legheny and father played football at Columbia...plans to have a double major in communicati ons and journalism.
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2009-10 Pitt Women’s Basketball2 0 0 8 a n d 2 0 0 9 N C A A T o u r n a m e n t S w e e t 1 6 P a r t i c i p a n t
2009-10 OUTLOOKDramati cally improved throughout her freshman campaign, will look to do the same this coming season...will take on more of a workload following an All-Big East Freshman selecti on...fi nalist for the USA Basketball U19 squad prior to knee injury...projected starter at center for Pitt .
FRESHMAN SEASON (2008-09)Pepper Wilson made 32 starts and played in 33 games during her freshman season with the Panthers...scored eight points and grabbed nine rebounds in her fi rst collegiate game against Texas A&M...racked up three double-doubles on the season; against South Florida (12 points, 10 rebounds), against Marquett e (13 points, 17 rebounds) and against St. John’s (12 points and 11 rebounds)...scored a season-high 16 points against Louisville in the semifi nals of the Big East Championship...ti ed a season-high with four blocked shots in the Gonzaga win during the second round of the NCAA Tournament...earned all-tournament team honors aft er scoring 25 points on 11-of-17 shooti ng and grabbing 11 re-bounds in the Pitt Thanksgiving Tournament...second on the team in rebounding at 6.4 boards per game...named to the Big East All-Freshman team.
HIGH SCHOOLShawnice “Pepper” Wilson was named the City League Player of the Year as a junior and senior while at Westi nghouse...four-ti me All-City League...2005 Freshman of the Year...District and Player of the Year in as a junior and senior...second team All-State in 2007-08...Post-Gazett e Fab Five City League team...invited to the presti gious adidas Top Ten All-America Camp...Was ranked 23 out of the top 50 seniors in the 2008 High School Slam Magazine...scored 1,540 points in her career...Nati onal Honor Society member and graduated fi rst in her class.
PERSONALDaughter of Carl Wilson and Marcella Holmes...born August 8, 1990...has seven siblings -- Andrea (26), Carlett a (20), Carla (19), Carl (18), Carl (16), Keisan (1) and Aliyah (1)...uncle Michael Wilson played basketball in Argenti na profes-sionally...plans to major in child psychology.
CAREER HIGHSPoints: 16 vs. Louisville (3-9-09)Rebounds: 17 vs. Marquett e (1-30-09)Assists: 4 vs. Marquett e (1-30-09)Steals: 3 vs. Marquett e (1-30-09)Blocks: 4, twice; last vs. Gonzaga (3-23-09)FG Made: 7 vs. Louisville (3-9-09)FG Att empted: 12 at Western Michigan (11-20-08)3-pt. FG Made: N/A3-pt. FG Att empted: N/A FT Made: 4 vs. Wagner (12-16-08)FT Att empted: 4, four ti mes; last vs. Marquett e (1-30-09)Minutes: 35 vs. Notre Dame (2-3-09)
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2009-10 Pitt Women’s Basketball2 0 0 8 a n d 2 0 0 9 N C A A T o u r n a m e n t S w e e t 1 6 P a r t i c i p a n t
BRITTANEY THOMAS125-8 • TR-Jr.* • GuardMontgomery, Ala.Jeff erson Davis HS/Florida
2009-10 OUTLOOKA tough, gritt y and aggressive guard that will help fi ll the void of WNBA First-Round Draft selecti on Shavonte Zellous adn Xenia Stewart.
2008-09 SEASONBritt aney Thomas sat out the 2008-09 season due to NCAA transfer rules.
FLORIDAPlayed in 60 games for the Gators during her freshman and sophomore seasons...named SEC Player of the Week for her eff orts in Florida’s win over Xavier...scored 18 points against Georgia as a sophomore...started seven games.
HIGH SCHOOL2006 McDonald’s All-America nominee at Jeff erson Davis High...Street & Smith’s High School All-America Honorable Menti on...invited to the presti gious adidas Top Ten All-America Camp in 2004 and 2005...received ranking of No. 27 shooti ng guard in the country by All-Star Girls Report in 2006...2006 fi nalist for Alabama 6A State Player of the Year...6A First Team All-State...Alabama Super Five All-State Team...fi nalist for Alabama Miss Basketball.
PERSONALDaughter of Mike and Jacqueline Thomas...born August 27, 1988...father played basketball at Auburn University of Montgomery (AUM)...administrati on of justi ce major.
HIGH SCHOOL2006 McDonald’s All-America nominee at Jeff erson Davis High...Street & Smith’sHigh School All-America Honorable Menti on...invited to the presti gious adidasTop Ten All-America Camp in 2004 andnd 2 200005...rer ceeiviveded r ranankingg of No. 2727 shoooti ng gguard inin tthehe c couountntryry b byy AlAll-l-StStarar GGirirlsls R Repeporortt inin 2 200006.6 ...20200606 fi fi n nalalisistt foforr AlAlababamamaa 6AA S Statatete P Plalayeyerr ofof the Year...6A First Team Alll-l State...AlAlabama Super Five All-StateTeTeamam...fifi nalist ffor AlA abama Miss Basketball.
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2009-10 Pitt Women’s Basketball2 0 0 8 a n d 2 0 0 9 N C A A T o u r n a m e n t S w e e t 1 6 P a r t i c i p a n t
ASHLEE ANDERSON235-9 • FR • GuardChicago, Ill.Whitney Young HS
HIGH SCHOOLRecorded Norland Girl’s Basketball’s top GPA all four years…led Norland to an 32-0 undefeated season and state championship during senior year…averaged a double-double her junior (14.5 ppg, 12.5 rbg) and sophomore (11.5 ppg, 12 rbg) seasons…named second team all-county following her junior season…led team in blocks as well as blocks in a single game (8)…an Adidas Top 10 Underclassmen Camp parti cipant following her sophomore season…led team to Florida Class 6A state runner up fi nishes her freshman and sophomore seasons…named third team all-county following her sophomore season…averaged 7.8 points and 6.5 rebounds as a freshman…named an all-conference honorable menti on follow-ing her freshman season…played AAU basketball for Team Breakdown…also competed in volleyball…led volleyball team to a district appearance her senior year...graduated cum laude from School for Advanced Studies-Wolfson with a weighted grade point average of 5.34...completed 19 college credits at Miami Dade College.
PERSONALDaughter of Verdell and Shirley Bender...born October 31, 1990...mother played volleyball and basketball at Florida...Uncle Vincent Kendrick was draft ed by the Atlanta Falcons in 1974 and also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers....Uncle Pres-ton Kendrick was draft ed by the San Francisco 49ers in 1975...an undecided major.
HIGH SCHOOLAshlee Anderson was an Illinois Basketball Coaches Associati on All-State Third Team selecti on following her senior year in which she led Whitney Young to a runner-up fi nish at the state championship...averaged 12.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game as a senior...Street and Smith Honorable Menti on All-America...McDonald’s All-American Nominee...att ended 2008 Mike White Top 10 All-American Camp following her junior season…led Whitney Young to its fi rst ever state championship in 2008...averaged 11.4 points, 5 rebounds and 2.2 as-sists per game as a junior…named a Chicago Top 50 Player…voted a Chicgohoops.com Top Area HS Baller…selected as a Public Windy City West Top 3 Conference Player…a Chicago Defender Top Girls Hoop Star…awarded Chicago Public League all-secti on honors and a Chicago Tribune special menti on…voted prep athlete of the week on March 4th, 2008…led team to city championships in 2006, 2007 and 2009…an Adidas Top 10 Underclassmen Camp parti cipant following her fresh-man season...played AAU basketball for the Lady Fire…ranked 122nd best player overall by Mike White…ranked the 90th best player overall and 17th in her posi-ti on by Dan Olson.
PERSONALNickname is Snaxs…daughter of Alonzo and Cynthia Anderson…has two older brothers and an older sister...mom’s cousin graduated from Pitt …an undecided major.
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2009-10 Pitt Women’s Basketball2 0 0 8 a n d 2 0 0 9 N C A A T o u r n a m e n t S w e e t 1 6 P a r t i c i p a n t
Date Opponent Score Att . High Points High Rebounds11/16/08 vs Texas A&M 50-56 L 7954 (23)ZELLOUS, Shavonte (9)WILSON, Pepper11/20/08 at Western Michigan W 88-60 784 (23)ZELLOUS, Shavonte (13)POPOVEC, Kate11/24/08 PENN STATE W 80-59 2080 (23)ZELLOUS, Shavonte (10)SCOTT, Shayla (10)WILSON, Pepper11/28/08 ELON W 84-49 323 (22)ZELLOUS, Shavonte (7)POPOVEC, Kate11/29/08 ^YOUNGSTOWN STATE W 99-42 2791 (20)ZELLOUS, Shavonte (7)HARRISON, Taneisha12/3/08 at Duquesne W 66-47 1063 (15)POPOVEC, Kate (12)POPOVEC, Kate12/07/08 MARYLAND W 86-57 3223 (26)ZELLOUS, Shavonte (7)POPOVEC, Kate12/13/08 WEST VIRGINIA STATE W 85-37 2548 (17)POPOVEC, Kate (14)SCOTT, Shayla12/16/08 WAGNER W 98-41 2354 (26)ZELLOUS, Shavonte (9)COLE, Chelsea12/19/08 at Florida A&M W 89-59 127 (27)STEWART, Xenia (9)SCOTT, Shayla12/21/08 at Florida 83-90 L 1377 (42)ZELLOUS, Shavonte (10)WILSON, Pepper12/30/08 WESTERN KENTUCKY W 93-50 3402 (17)STEWART, Xenia (9)SCOTT, Shayla (17)ZELLOUS, Shavonte (9)WILSON, Pepper01/04/09 *WEST VIRGINIA W 72-63 4528 (34)ZELLOUS, Shavonte (7)COLE, Chelsea1/7/09 *at Providence 69-77 L 251 (28)ZELLOUS, Shavonte (8)COLE, Chelsea (8)STEWART, Xenia01/10/09 *DEPAUL 62-69 L 3552 (26)ZELLOUS, Shavonte (8)COLE, Chelsea01/17/09 *SOUTH FLORIDA W 79-47 4379 (27)ZELLOUS, Shavonte (12)COLE, Chelsea01/20/09 *at Seton Hall W 76-40 525 (29)ZELLOUS, Shavonte (11)ZELLOUS, Shavonte01/24/09 *at Syracuse W 77-75 1647 (15)ZELLOUS, Shavonte (11)COLE, Chelsea01/27/09 *at Georgetown W 50-39 617 (19)ZELLOUS, Shavonte (11)SCOTT, Shayla01/30/09 *MARQUETTE W 86-54 5684 (31)ZELLOUS, Shavonte (17)WILSON, Pepper02/03/09 *NOTRE DAME W 82-70 3813 (29)ZELLOUS, Shavonte (18)SCOTT, Shayla02/10/09 *at Rutgers WOT 61-53 3203 (20)SALLARD, Sophronia (12)SCOTT, Shayla2/15/09 *at Connecti cut 42-95 L 9987 (16)ZELLOUS, Shavonte (6)SCOTT, Shayla02/18/09 *VILLANOVA W 70-54 3120 (23)ZELLOUS, Shavonte (10)ZELLOUS, Shavonte02/21/09 *CINCINNATI W 68-53 6443 (16)ZELLOUS, Shavonte (8)COLE, Chelsea (16)STEWART, Xenia2/24/09 *at West Virginia W 72-60 1275 (25)ZELLOUS, Shavonte (10)WILSON, Pepper2/28/09 *at LOUISVILLE 51-75 L 11335 (15)ZELLOUS, Shavonte (6)ZELLOUS, Shavonte (6)SCOTT, Shayla03/02/09 *ST. JOHN’S W 79-60 3386 (18)ZELLOUS, Shavonte (11)WILSON, Pepper3/8/09 vs DePaul W 62-59 8957 (18)ZELLOUS, Shavonte (12)SCOTT, Shayla3/9/09 vs LOUISVILLE 63-69 L 9588 (24)ZELLOUS, Shavonte (5)SALLARD, Sophronia03/21/09 vs Montana W 64-35 (31)ZELLOUS, Shavonte (9)ZELLOUS, Shavonte03/23/09 vs Gonzaga W 65-60 2270 (24)ZELLOUS, Shavonte (8)SCOTT, Shayla3/29/09 vs Oklahoma 59-70 L 10343 (18)ZELLOUS, Shavonte (9)ZELLOUS, Shavonte
Home games in CAPS* Big East Conference game
Att endance Summary Games Att end Avg/GameHome 15 51626 3442Away 12 32191 2683Neutral 6 39112 6519Total 33 122929 3725
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2009-10 Pitt Women’s Basketball2 0 0 8 a n d 2 0 0 9 N C A A T o u r n a m e n t S w e e t 1 6 P a r t i c i p a n t
2009-10 Pitt Women’s Basketball2 0 0 8 a n d 2 0 0 9 N C A A T o u r n a m e n t S w e e t 1 6 P a r t i c i p a n t
Texas A&M 11-16 Zellous (G) Sims (G) Wilson (C) Stewart (F) Scott (F) L, 50-56Western Michigan 11-20 Zellous (G) Stewart (G) Wilson (C) Harrison (F) Scott (F) W, 88-60Penn State 11-24 Zellous (G) Stewart (G) Wilson (C) Harrison (F) Scott (F) W, 80-59Elon 11-28 Zellous (G) Stewart (G) Wilson (C) Harrison (F) Scott (F) W, 84-49Youngstown State 11-29 Zellous (G) Stewart (G) Wilson (C) Harrison (F) Scott (F) W, 99-42Duquesne 12-3 Zellous (G) Stewart (G) Wilson (C) Harrison (F) Scott (F) W, 66-47Maryland 12-7 Zellous (G) Stewart (G) Wilson (C) Harrison (F) Scott (F) W, 86-57West Virginia State 12-13 Zellous (G) Stewart (G) Wilson (C) Harrison (F) Scott (F) W, 85-37Wagner 12-16 Zellous (G) Stewart (G) Wilson (C) Harrison (F) Scott (F) W, 98-41Florida A&M 12-19 Zellous (G) Stewart (G) Wilson (C) Harrison (F) Scott (F) W, 89-59Florida 12-21 Zellous (G) Stewart (G) Wilson (C) Harrison (F) Scott (F) L, 83-90Western Kentucky 12-30 Zellous (G) Stewart (G) Wilson (C) Harrison (F) Scott (F) W, 93-50West Virginia 1-4 Zellous (G) Stewart (G) Wilson (C) Harrison (F) Scott (F) W, 72-63Providence 1-7 Zellous (G) Stewart (G) Wilson (C) Harrison (F) Scott (F) L, 69-77DePaul 1-10 Zellous (G) Stewart (G) Wilson (C) Sallard (F) Scott (F) L, 62-69USF 1-17 Zellous (G) Stewart (G) Wilson (C) Sallard (F) Scott (F) W, 79-47Seton Hall 1-20 Zellous (G) Stewart (G) Wilson (C) Sallard (F) Scott (F) W, 76-40Syracuse 1-24 Zellous (G) Stewart (G) Wilson (C) Sallard (F) Scott (F) W, 77-75Georgetown 1-27 Zellous (G) Stewart (G) Wilson (C) Sallard (F) Scott (F) W, 50-39Marquett e 1-30 Zellous (G) Stewart (G) Wilson (C) Sallard (F) Scott (F) W, 86-54Notre Dame 2-3 Zellous (G) Stewart (G) Wilson (C) Sallard (F) Scott (F) W, 82-70Rutgers 2-10 Zellous (G) Stewart (G) Wilson (C) Sallard (F) Scott (F) W, 61-53 (OT)Connecti cut 2-15 Zellous (G) Stewart (G) Wilson (C) Sallard (F) Scott (F) L, 42-95Villanova 2-18 Zellous (G) Stewart (G) Wilson (C) Sallard (F) Scott (F) W, 70-54Cincinnati 2-21 Zellous (G) Stewart (G) Wilson (C) Sallard (F) Scott (F) W, 68-53West Virginia 2-24 Zellous (G) Stewart (G) Wilson (C) Sallard (F) Scott (F) W, 72-60Louisville 2-28 Zellous (G) Stewart (G) Wilson (C) Sallard (F) Scott (F) L, 51-75St. John’s 3-2 Zellous (G) Stewart (G) Wilson (C) Sallard (F) Scott (F) W, 79-60DePaul 3-8 Zellous (G) Stewart (G) Popovec (C) Sallard (F) Scott (F) W, 62-59Louisville 3-9 Zellous (G) Stewart (G) Wilson (C) Sallard (F) Scott (F) L, 63-69Montana 3-21 Zellous (G) Stewart (G) Wilson (C) Sallard (F) Scott (F) W, 64-35Gonzaga 3-23 Zellous (G) Stewart (G) Wilson (C) Sallard (F) Scott (F) W, 65-60Oklahoma Zellous (G) Stewart (G) Wilson (C) Sallard (F) Scott (F) L, 59-70
• (0-1) Scott , Stewart, Wilson, Zellous, Sims • (14-4) Scott , Stewart, Wilson, Zellous, Sallard• (10-2) Scott , Harrison, Wilson, Zellous, Stewart • (1-0) Scott , Stewart, Popovec, Zellous, Sallard2008-09 STARTERS
2008-09 IND IV IDUAL SUPERLAT IVESPoints ........................................................................ 42 .............................................. Shavonte Zellous ................................................. at Florida (12-21-08)Field Goals Made ...................................................... 13 .............................................. Shavonte Zellous ................................................. at Florida (12-21-08).................................................................................. 13 .............................................. Shavonte Zellous ................................................. vs. Montana (3-21-09)Field Goal Att empts .................................................. 27 .............................................. Shavonte Zellous ................................................. vs. Montana (3-21-09)Field Goal Pct. (min 5 made) .................................... 1.000 (7-7) ................................ Kate Popovec ...................................................... at Duquesne (12-3-08).................................................................................. 1.000 (5-5) ................................ Sophronia Sallard ................................................ Youngstown State (11-29-08)3-PT Field Goals Made .............................................. 5 ................................................ Shavonte Zellous ................................................. at Seton Hall (1-20-09)3-PT Field Goal Att empts .......................................... 9 ................................................ Shavonte Zellous ................................................. Penn State (11-24-08)3-PT Field Goal Pct. (min 2 made) ............................ 1.000 (3-3) ................................ Taneisha Harrison ............................................... Western Kentucky (12-30-08).................................................................................. 1.000 (2-2) ................................ Xenia Stewart ...................................................... Gonzaga (3-23-09).................................................................................. .750 (3-4) .................................. Shayla Scott ......................................................... Villanova (2-18-09).................................................................................. .750 (3-4) .................................. Shavonte Zellous ................................................. at Florida (12-21-08).................................................................................. .750 (3-4) .................................. Xenia Stewart ...................................................... at Florida A&M (12-19-08).................................................................................. .750 (3-4) .................................. Taneisha Harrison ............................................... Youngstown State (11-29-08)Free Throws Made .................................................... 14 .............................................. Shavonte Zellous ................................................. vs. Texas A&M (11-16-08)Free Throw Att empts ................................................ 16 .............................................. Shavonte Zellous ................................................. vs. Texas A&M (11-16-08)Free Throw Pct. (min 4 made) .................................. 1.000 (6-6) ................................ Xenia Stewart ...................................................... Villanova (2-18-09).................................................................................. 1.000 (4-4) ................................ Taneisha Harrison ............................................... at Syracuse (1-24-09).................................................................................. 1.000 (4-4) ................................ Shavonte Zellous ................................................. at Seton Hall (1-20-09).................................................................................. 1.000 (4-4) ................................ Shavonte Zellous ................................................. vs. Montana (3-21-09).................................................................................. 1.000 (5-5) ................................ Xenia Stewart ...................................................... Penn State (11-24-08)...................................................................... ........... 1.000 (5-5) ................................ Taneisha Harrison ............................................... Notre Dame (2-3-09).................................................................................. .929 (13-14) .............................. Shavonte Zellous ................................................. at Florida (12-21-08).................................................................................. .875 (14-16) .............................. Shavonte Zellous ................................................. vs. Texas A&M (11-16-08)Rebounds.................................................................. 18 .............................................. Shayla Scott ......................................................... Notre Dame (2-3-09).................................................................................. 17 .............................................. Pepper Wilson..................................................... vs. Marquett e (1-30-09)Assists ....................................................................... 12 .............................................. Taneisha Harrison ............................................... vs. Maryland (12-7-08).................................................................................. 9 ................................................ Xenia Stewart ...................................................... South Florida (1-17-09)Blocked Shots ........................................................... 5 ................................................ Chelsea Cole ....................................................... at Syracuse (1-24-09).................................................................................. 5 ................................................ Chelsea Cole ....................................................... vs. Gonzaga (3-23-09)
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2009-10 Pitt Women’s Basketball2 0 0 8 a n d 2 0 0 9 N C A A T o u r n a m e n t S w e e t 1 6 P a r t i c i p a n t
PITT OPPONENTSPoints Hi 99 vs. Younstown State (11-29-08) 95 by Connecti cut (2-15-09) Low 42 at Connecti cut (2-15-09) 35 by Montana (3-21-09)Field Goals Hi 39 vs. YSU (11-29-08)/WKU (12-30-08) 31 by Florida (12-21-08) Low 12 vs. Texas A&M (11-16-08) 13 by Seton Hall (1-20-09)Field Goal Att . Hi 82 at Western Michigan (11-20-08) 66 by Florida (12-21-08)/Syracuse (1-24-09) Low 41 at Louisville (2-28-09) 44 by Cincinnati (2-21-09)Field Goal Pct. Hi .672 (39-58) vs. Younstown State (11-29-08) .490 (25-51) by Louisville (3-9-09) Low .250 (17-68) at Connecti cut (2-15-09) .241 (13-54) by Seton Hall (1-20-09)3PT Field Goals Hi 11 vs. Maryland (12-7-08) 10 by Florida (12-21-08) Low 0 at Providence (1-7-09) 0 by Wagner (12-16-08)3PT Field Goal Att . Hi 21 vs. Maryland (12-7-08)/vs. USF (1-17-09) 22 by Fla. (12-21-08)/Montana (3-21-09) Low 8 three ti mes 3 by Wagner (12-16-08)3PT Field Goal Pct. Hi .583 (7-12) vs. Notre Dame (2-3-09) .714 vs. Maryland (12-7-08) Low .000 (0-11) at Providence (1-7-09) .000 (0-3) by Wagner (12-16-08)Free Throws Hi 29 at Florida A&M (12-19-08) 27 by Connecti cut (2-15-09) Low 6 three ti mes 3 by Montana (3-21-09)Free Throw Att . Hi 36 at Florida A&M (12-19-08) 31 by Connecti cut (2-15-09) Low 6 at Rutgers (2-10-09) 6 by WVSU (12-13-08)Free Throw Pct. Hi 1.000 (10-10) at Seton Hall (1-20-09)/Rutgers (2-10-09) 1.000 (16-16) by Gonzaga (3-23-09) Low .579 (11-19) vs. WVSU (12-13-08) .500 (3-6) by Montana (3-21-09)Rebounds Hi 61 vs. WVSU (12-13-08) 55 by Connecti cut (2-15-09) Low 28 vs Louisville (3-9-09) 19 by Youngstown State (11-29-08)Assists Hi 25 at Western Michigan (11-20-08) 22 by Connecti cut (2-15-09) Low 3 vs. Texas A&M (11-16-08) 6 by Western Michigan (11-20-08)Blocks Hi 12 vs. Wagner (12-16-08) 10 by Providence (1-7-09) Low 1 fi ve ti mes 0 by four teamsSteals Hi 16 at Providence (1-7-09) 14 by Louisville (2-28-09) Low 0 vs. Villanova (2-18-09) 0 by West Virginia (2-24-09)Turnovers Hi 25 at Louisville (2-28-09) 27 at Western Michigan (11-20-08) Low 4 at West Virginia (2-24-09) 8 by Villanova (2-18-09)* School record
2009-10 Pitt Women’s Basketball2 0 0 8 a n d 2 0 0 9 N C A A T o u r n a m e n t S w e e t 1 6 P a r t i c i p a n t
FIRST HALFMost points scored in the fi rst half .............................. 51 at Florida A&M (12-19-08)Fewest points scored in the fi rst half ..............................21 at Connecti cut (2-15-09)Fewest points allowed in the fi rst half............................... 17 by Seton Hall (1-20-09)Most points allowed in the fi rst half............................... 47 by Connecti cut (2-15-09)Best FG % in the fi rst half ....................64.0 (16-25) vs. Youngstown State (11-29-08)Worst FG % in the fi rst half ................................ 23.5 (8-34) at Connecti cut (2-15-09)Best FG % by an opponent in the fi rst half .................. 57.7 (15-26) by Louisville (3-9-09)Worst FG % by an opponent in the fi rst half ................18.8 (6-32) by PSU (11-24-08)SECOND HALFMost points scored in the second half ........................................56 vs. WKU (12-30-08)Fewest points scored in the second half .........................21 at Connecti cut (2-15-09)Fewest points allowed in the second half .................................10 by Montana (3-21-09) Most points allowed in the second half ......................... 48 by Connecti cut (2-15-09)Best FG % in the second half................... 69.7 (23-33) vs. Youngstown State (11-29-08)Worst FG % in the second half ..........................20.8 (5-24) vs. Texas A&M (11-16-08) Best FG % by an opponent in the second half .......................50.0 (11-22) by Cincy (2-21-09)Worst FG % by an opponent in the second half ...... 15.4 (4-26) by Georgetown (1-27-09)
GAMEMost points scored ............................................. 99 vs. Youngstown State (11-29-08)Fewest points scored .......................................................42 at Connecti cut (2-15-09)Fewest points allowed .........................................................35 by Montana (3-21-09) Most points allowed ....................................................... 95 by Connecti cut (2-15-09)Best FG % .............................................62.7 (39-58) vs. Youngstown State (11-29-08)Worst FG % ...................................................... 25.0 (17-68) at Connecti cut (2-15-09) Best FG % by an opponent .................................... 49.0 (25-51) by Louisville (3-9-09)Worst FG % by an opponent ...................................... 21.9 (14-64) by WVSU (12-13-08)MISCELLANEOUSLargest margin of victory ...........................57 vs. YSU (11-29-08)/Wagner (12-16-08) Smallest margin of victory ..........................................2 (77-75) at Syracuse (1-24-09)Largest margin of defeat..................................... 53 (95-42) at Connecti cut (2-15-09)Smallest margin of defeat.................. 6 vs. Texas A&M (11-16-08)/Louisville (3-9-09)Largest halft ime lead ............................................................................25 three ti mesSmallest halft ime lead ........................................ 1 (28-27) at West Virginia (2-24-09)................................................................................................. vs. Montana (3-21-09)Largest halft ime defi cit ....................................... 26 (47-21) at Connecti cut (2-15-09)Smallest halft ime defi cit .................................................1 (28-27) by DePaul (3-8-09)Largest rebounding margin .......................................... 33 (61-28) vs. WVSU (12-13-08)Smallest rebounding margin .........................................................3 (43-40) at WVU (2-24-09)Opponent’s largest reb. margin ..................................18 (55-37) at Connecti cut (2-15-09)Opponent’s smallest reb. margin .................................................. 1 vs. Gonzaga (3-23-09)
2008-09 SUPERLAT IVES. . .
Leading at the half ................. 22-2Trailing at the half .................... 2-5Tied at the half ........................ 1-0Scores 100+ points .................. 0-0Scores 90-99 points ................. 3-0Scores 80-89 points ................. 8-1Scores 70-79 points ................. 7-0Scores 60-69 points ................. 6-3Scores fewer than 60 points .... 1-3Holds opp. to 41-50 points ...... 6-0Holds opp. to 31-40 points ...... 4-0Holds opp. to under 30 points . 0-0Shoots 50% FG or bett er .......... 4-0Shoots 40-49% FG ................. 14-2Shoots 39% or under FG .......... 6-5
Holds opp. under 30% FG ........ 8-0Shoots higher FG% than opp. 22-1Shoots lower FG% than opp. ... 3-6Shoots higher FT% than opp. 17-2Shoots lower FT% than opp. .... 8-5Outrebounds opp. ................. 24-1Outrebounded by opp. ............ 1-6Versus ranked opp. .................. 2-4Versus non-ranked opp.......... 23-3In overti me .............................. 1-0Games decided by 3 pts or less 2-0
2008-09 RECORD WHEN...
CAREER DOUBLE-DOUBLESPlayer ........................... 2008-09 ........ Career
2009-10 Pitt Women’s Basketball2 0 0 8 a n d 2 0 0 9 N C A A T o u r n a m e n t S w e e t 1 6 P a r t i c i p a n t
BATON ROUGE, LA -- Texas A&M is one of the best defensive women’s basket-ball teams in the country. The Aggies are athleti c, they press, they are physical, they make it diffi cult for teams to get open shots. That stout defense is why the Aggies advanced to the Elite Eight last year and is a reason they are ranked No. 11 and considered a legiti mate Final Four contender. It is hard to score against them and as Pitt found out yesterday, it is darn near impossible without the starti ng point guard. Pitt also plays great defense, so the Aggies and Panthers staged an old-fashioned defensive slugfest in the State Farm Tip-Off Classic before a crowd of 7,954 at LSU’s Pete Maravich Assembly Center. The Panthers, who played the fi nal 35 minutes without starti ng point guard Jania Sims because of a knee injury, couldn’t fi nd enough points to win the game and dropped a 56-50 decision to the Aggies. Texas A&M coach Gary Blair acknowledged that it isn’t always fun to watch his team play because they work so hard on defense and fans generally like to see off ense. But he was quick to defend the Aggies’ style. In his mind, two teams play-ing great defense against each other is not ugly, it is a thing of beauty. Sims went down with the score ti ed, 7-7, and Stewart, a senior, had to step in and fi nish the game at point guard. She said she had not played the positi on since she was a freshman. Pitt had only three assists but had 22 turnovers. Pitt ’s leading scorer, senior Shavonte Zellous, was being harassed the enti re game by Texas A&M defensive whiz Danielle Gant. Zellous fi nished with a game-high 23 points but she scored 14 of those points from the free-throw line and she made only 3 of 16 shots. Despite the off ensive struggles, Pitt led 25-23 at the half and 35-34 with 10:27 to play in the game but the Aggies used a 9-2 run over the next three minutes to pull away. They maintained at least a six-point cushion the rest of the way. Texas A&M got a boost off the bench from guard Sydney Colson, who had ACL surgery in July and was only supposed to play limited acti on. But Colson played 22 minutes and had 12 points, including two key 3-pointers.-- Paul Zeise, Pitt sburgh Post-Gazett e
KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- The Pitt women’s basketball team (1-1) earned its fi rst win of the season in convincing fashion Thursday night with an 88-60 victory at Western Michigan (0-2). Shavonte Zellous led all scorers with a 23-point performance, including 20 in the fi rst half. “We came out here today and had a business-like approach,” head coach Agnus Berenato said. “The team came out and went to work and got it done. This was a total team eff ort today. When we had players come off the bench, there was no drop off and that is great when you can do that.” Every player scored for the Panthers in the 28-point victory. Freshman Pep-per Wilson (Pitt sburgh, Pa./Westi nghouse) scored 15 on the night and added six rebounds and two assists. Junior forward Sophronia Sallard (Syracuse, N.Y./Notti ngham/Kansas) dished out a career-high six assists on the night and senior Xenia Stewart (Bowie, Md./Riverdale Bapti st) is now just 16 points from 1,000 for her career with eight on the night. Pitt jumped out to a quick lead and never relinquished it as the Panthers shot an outstanding 52.8 percent from the fi eld (19 of 36) in the fi rst half. Pitt led 42-24 entering the lockerroom, led primarily by the dominati ng 20-point fi rst half performance by Zellous. At one point in the middle of the half, she scored 12 straight points for the Panthers. The 18-point advantage for the Panthers was due in large part to a Western Michigan drought for over six minutes, as well as Pitt forcing 14 Broncos’ turnovers. It was more of the same to start the second half as Pitt charged to an 18-3 run to start the half on 7 of 12 shooti ng from the fi eld. The Panthers went on to shoot 38 of 82 for the game for 46.3 percent shooti ng from the fi eld. Pitt had 25 assists on the night and just 12 turnovers while forcing 26 Western Michigan turnovers.
Pitt 88, Western Michigan 60University Arena (5,421)
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2009-10 Pitt Women’s Basketball2 0 0 8 a n d 2 0 0 9 N C A A T o u r n a m e n t S w e e t 1 6 P a r t i c i p a n t
PITTSBURGH -- Senior Xenia Stewart scored her 1,000th career point in Pitt ’s largest victory over Penn State in school history, a, 80-59 win at the Petersen Events Center Monday night. Stewart (Bowie, Md./Riverdale Bapti st) scored 17 points on the night and now sits at 1,001 points in her career, becoming the 16th player in school his-tory to hit the milestone. “It’s rare when someone does everything you ask,” head coach Agnus Bere-nato said. “We’ve asked Xenia to play fi ve diff erent positi ons and she does it all for the team. She’s very unselfi sh. She puts the team fi rst. She has tremendous focus and intensity. She shows tremendous leadership. She’s a warrior and for her to get her to break 1,000 points, was special.” The win is the biggest over Penn State in school history, surpassing the 86-69 Panther win on Feb. 12, 1983. It also marks a considerable improvement for the Panthers under sixth-year head coach Agnus Berenato as her fi rst game in 2003 against the Lady Lions ended in a 96-44 defeat. The dominati on by the Panthers in this year’s game was from the very beginning. Pitt never trailed in the game and held a commanding 43-18 lead at the half. The Panthers held the Lady Lions to just 18.8 percent from the fi eld during that ti me (30.0 percent for the game) and forced 18 total turnovers in the contest. Shayla Scott (Monroeville, Pa./Gateway) had a special night of her own as she picked up the second double-double of her career with 10 points and 10 rebounds, and was able to honor her mother, Jennifer Bruce Scott , prior to the game. Jennifer Bruce was the Big East Player of the Year in 1984 and helped lead her team to the Big East regular season ti tle. The 1983-84 team was hon-ored prior to the game for their 25th anniversary of the championship. The top scorer on the night was again senior Shavonte Zellous (Orlando, Fla./Jones) with 23 points and four rebounds. Zellous is averaging 23.0 points through three games this season. Freshman Pepper Wilson (Pitt sburgh, Pa./Westi nghouse) added 10 rebounds and junior Sophronia Sallard (Syracuse, N.Y./Notti ngham/Kansas) scored 14. In additi on to honoring the 1983-84 team, the current team did some cel-ebrati ng of its own as Pitt raised its 2008 Sweet 16 banner in a ceremony prior to the game.
Pitt 80, Penn State 59Petersen Events Center (12,508)
PITTSBURGH—Pitt ’s women’s basketball team records its largest win of the season with an 84-49 victory over Elon in the second game of the Pitt Thanks-giving Tournament, this aft ernoon, at the Petersen Events Center. The Panthers improved to 3-1 on the year and will play Youngstown State in the champion-ship game on Saturday. Five players scored in double fi gures for the Pitt , including a game-high 22 from senior Shavonte Zellous (Orlando, Fla./Jones). Zellous recorded her fourth consecuti ve game with more than 20 points. Additi onally, senior Xenia Stewart (Bowie, Md./Riverdale Bapti st) and freshman Shawnice Wilson (Pitt sburgh, Pa./Westi nghouse) each scored 14, while sophomore Taneisha Harrison (Bowie, Md./St. John’s College High School) chipped in 13 and freshman Kate Popovec (Canfi eld, Ohio/Canfi eld) recorded a career-high 11 in the game. The Panthers jumped out to an early double-digit lead, 24-13, thanks to a layup from Stewart. Later Harrison gave the Panthers their largest lead of the game at 42-22, with a pair of made free throws in the fi rst half. Pitt held a 16-point lead at the half, 44-28, as the Panthers shot 51.6 per-cent from the fi eld. Following intermission, the Panthers increased their lead to 58-32 with a 14-4 run that was sparked by four points from Wilson. Pitt conti nued to domi-nate, forcing 10 second-half turnovers by Elon. Pitt held the Phoenix without a fi eld goal the last three minutes and 30 seconds of play. In the fi rst game of today’s Pitt Thanksgiving Tournament, Youngstown State defeated Weber State 67-60. Nikita LaFleur scored a game-high 24 points off the bench for the Penguins.
Halft ime-PITT 44-28; FG pct. - PITT .321, Elon .321; 3-pt. FG pct. - PITT .400, Elon .444; FT pct. - PITT .889, Elon .786.A - 323; Offi cials - John Morningstar, Carol Comanita, Michel Schmidt
Game 4 (3-1, 0-0 Big East)Nov. 28, 2008Pitt 84, Elon 49
Petersen Events Center (12,508)
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2009-10 Pitt Women’s Basketball2 0 0 8 a n d 2 0 0 9 N C A A T o u r n a m e n t S w e e t 1 6 P a r t i c i p a n t
PITTSBURGH - The Pitt women’s basketball team (4-1) claimed the Pitt Thanks-giving Tournament ti tle with an 99-42 victory over Youngstown State Saturday evening, behind 20 points from senior guard Shavonte Zellous. Zellous (Orlando, Fla./Jones) was named the tournament Most Valuable Player for contributi ng 42 points on the weekend to lead the team in scoring in both games. The 20 points against Youngstown State marks her fi ft h consecu-ti ve 20-point game this season. Also on the all-tournament team were senior Xenia Stewart (Bowie, Md./Riverdale Bapti st) and freshman Pepper Wilson (Pitt sburgh, Pa./Westi nghouse). The 57-point victory is the largest for a Pitt team since it defeated C.C.A.C 112-25 on Jan. 22, 1977. Pitt currently holds a +27 point margin over its fi ve opponents this season. “I thought this was a great win,” head coach Agnus Berenato said. “Every-one contributed. We had fi ve players with double fi gures and we set a new Petersen Events Center record for fi eld goal percentage. We had an unselfi sh team. They made the extra pass.” The Panthers shot an outstanding 67.2 percent (39 of 58) from the fi eld for the game, including 69.7 percent in the second half. The 67.2 percent accuracy for the game is a Petersen Events Center record for women’s contests. Pitt also had fi ve players score in double fi gures, and every acti ve player on the team scored at least six points in the win. Sophomore Taneisha Harrison (Bowie, Md./St. John’s College) had an outstanding game as well with 16 points, seven rebounds, fi ve assists and three steals, while Shayla Scott (Mon-roeville, Pa./Gateway) scored a career-high 13. Pitt began to truly pull away late in the fi rst half and began the second half with a 19-0 run. The total run from the end of the fi rst to the middle of the second half, totaled 32 consecuti ve points for the Panthers to stretch the Pitt lead to 39 points at 63-24.
Halft ime-PITT 44-22; FG pct. - PITT .672, YSU .306; 3-pt. FG pct. - PITT .545, YSU .235; FT pct. - PITT .750, YSU .667.A - 2791; Offi cials - John Orminski, Carol Comanita, Kevin Pethtel
Game 5 (4-1, 0-0 Big East)Nov. 29, 2008
Pitt 99, Youngstown State 42Petersen Events Center (12,508)
PITTSBURGH (AP) -Kate Popovec scored 15 points and didn’t miss a fi eld-goal att empt, Shavonte Zellous had 13 and No. 24 Pitt sburgh opened the second half with a decisive run to beat city opponent Duquesne 66-47 Wednesday night. The Panthers (5-1) stretched a 27-23 lead at halft ime into a 42-27 advan-tage with a 15-4 run. Zellous started the run with a 3-pointer and Popovec ended it with a layup. Keri Pryor scored 18 points for Duquesne (6-2), which was held to 29.1 per-cent shooti ng (16-of-55). Popovec, who was 7-of-7 from the fl oor but missed one of two free throws, had 12 rebounds as Pitt held a 44-34 edge. The double-double was the fi rst for Popovec, who leads the team in re-bounding off the bench as a freshman. Pitt improved to 19-8 in the all-ti me series agains the Dukes with the 19-point victory. The game was played at the same ti me, but on Duquesne’s home fl oor, as the No. 3 Pitt men’s team defeated the Dukes 78-51 at the Petersen Events Center.
Halft ime-PITT 27-23; FG pct. - PITT .438, DU .291; 3-pt. FG pct. - PITT .308, DU .200; FT pct. - PITT .750, DU .917.A - 1,063; Offi cials - Bill Titus, Joe Vaszily, Natasha Harris
Game 6 (5-1, 0-0 Big East)Dec. 3, 2008
Pitt 66, Duquesne 47Palumbo Center (5,358)
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2009-10 Pitt Women’s Basketball2 0 0 8 a n d 2 0 0 9 N C A A T o u r n a m e n t S w e e t 1 6 P a r t i c i p a n t
PITTSBURGH (AP) - Shavonte Zellous scored 20 of her 26 points in the second half to lead No. 24 Pitt sburgh to an 86-57 upset of No. 8 Maryland on Sunday. Xenia Stewart had 22 points, Shayla Scott added 13 and Taneisha Harrison had a career-high 12 assists for Pitt sburgh (6-1), which won its sixth straight and beat a top 10 opponent for the second ti me in school history. “This is the biggest win in our program’s history,” Pitt sburgh coach Agnus Berenato told the crowd aft er the game. Kristi Toliver scored 12 points and Lynett a Kizer had 10 for Maryland (7-2), which committ ed 22 turnovers in losing for the fi rst ti me since a season-open-ing defeat at Texas Christi an. “Pitt just outworked, outhustled and outcompeted us for 40 minutes,” Maryland coach Brenda Frese said. “All of the credit goes to Pitt . They did everything right. Everything we did was disappointi ng because we didn’t com-pete.” Pitt sburgh scored the fi rst six points of the second half behind a free throw from Harrison, a basket from Pepper Wilson, and a 3-pointer from Zellous for a 45-32 lead. The Panthers handed Maryland its biggest loss since a 74-44 defeat to Duke on March 6, 2005. “I just thought it was an awesome performance,” Berenato said. “We were well prepared, and it showed. It was a great victory.”
Halft ime-PITT 39-32; FG pct. - PITT .464, UM .426; 3-pt. FG pct. - PITT .524, UM .714; FT pct. - PITT .688, UM .667.A - 3,223; Offi cials - Sue Blauch, Kathleen Lynch, Denise Brooks-Clauser
Game 7 (6-1, 0-0 Big East)Dec. 7, 2008
#24 Pitt 86, #8 Maryland 57Petersen Events Center (12,508)
PITTSBURGH - Pitt improved to 7-1 on the season behind fi ve players in double digits as the 16th-ranked Panther women’s basketball team defeated West Virginia State, 85-37, Saturday aft ernoon at the Petersen Events Center. “I think this is how you have to win,” head coach Agnus Berenato said. “We had fi ve players in double fi gures today, and so many of our players contribut-ing all diff erent kinds of key stats. That’s players stepping up and that’s what good teams do.” Freshman Kate Popovec (Canfi eld, Ohio/Canfi eld) scored a career- and game-high 17 points and added 10 rebounds in the 48-point victory. Pitt has now won each of its seven games by an average of 33.9 points. Shayla Scott (Monroeville, Pa./Gateway) earned career highs in both points and rebounds with 14 each in just 25 minutes of play. Also scoring in double fi gures on the day were Taneisha Harrison (Bowie, Md./St. John’s College) with 15 points on 6 of 9 shooti ng, Chelsea Cole (Lumberton, N.J./Rancocas Valley) with 11 points and Shavonte Zellous (Orlando, Fla./Jones) with 10 points. Pitt led by 14 at the half, 36-22, but pulled away early in the second and held the Yellow Jackets to just 15 points in the second half, while scoring 49. Pitt post players had most of the acti on as they out-scored West Virginia State 58-12 in the paint. The Panthers shot 50.0 percent on the day (36 of 72) and out-rebounded the Yellow Jackets 61-28 for the most Pitt rebounds since it totaled 61 on Nov. 20, 2007 at Mount St. Mary’s last season -- an 82-31 victory.
#16 Pitt 85, West Virginia State 37Petersen Events Center (12,508)
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PITTSBURGH - The Pitt women’s basketball team’s dominance conti nued Tues-day night with a 98-41 win over Wagner as the 16th-ranked Panthers improved to 8-1 on the season. “I am really proud of our team,” head coach Agnus Berenato said. “Wagner did a great job, they fought unti l the end. Now we just need to focus on work-ing hard and getti ng bett er. I think our girls really enjoy that. They like playing basketball with each other and the girls like wearing a Pitt uniform. They’re a group that wants to get bett er.” Pitt had all fi ve scorers tally double fi gure points, including 26 from senior guard Shavonte Zellous (Orlando, Fla./Jones), and the team contributed a school record-tying 12 blocks in the win. Also scoring in double fi gures were Taneisha Harrison with 17, Shayla Scott and Xenia Stewart with 12 and Pepper Wilson with 10. Scott (Monroeville, Pa./Gateway) added eight rebounds and Stewart (Bowie, Md./Riverdale Bapti st) added six rebounds and six assists. Pitt out-rebounded the Seahawks 59 to 28 and forced 26 turnovers. The Panthers yet again shut down the opposing team’s leading scorer as Wagner’s Andrea Reed scored just six points on the night. Pitt led 46-23 at the half, but pulled away in the second, outscoring Wag-ner 52-18 in the second half for the 57-point victory.
#16 Pitt 98, Wagner 41Petersen Events Center (12,508)
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Pitt women’s basketball team can light up a score-board. The No. 16 Panthers’ 89-59 win Friday night over Florida A&M was the fourth straight game and eighth in the last nine that they eclipsed the 80-point mark. Yet, it was Pitt ’s defense that kick-started the scoring at Gaither Gym. The Panthers (9-1), winners of nine straight, held FAMU (4-5) to one basket from the fl oor in the game’s fi rst 7:58. Their long arms disrupted the Ratt lers’ passing lanes and Pitt turned 17 FAMU turnovers into 26 points. “We like to get out and play defense,” Panthers coach Agnus Berenato said. “We like to play strong on-ball defense.” Senior Xenia Stewart scored a season-high 27 points to lead the Panthers, hitti ng 3 of 4 shots from 3-point range. “Xenia is our warrior,” Berenato said. “She’s so strong and so mentally tough. But that’s just how she plays.” FAMU’s 3-point shooti ng was one of the team’s few bright spots. The Rat-tlers hit 6 of 11 shots from the 3-point line. Freshman Tameka McKelton led Florida A&M, shooti ng 3-for-4 from behind the arc and scoring 17 points. Ratt lers coach LeDawn Gibson said Pitt ’s defense was tough to overcome, as was the knowledge that FAMU was hosti ng a nati onally ranked foe. Shavonte Zellous scored 21 points for the Panthers and pulled down seven rebounds, while Shayla Scott had nine rebounds and nine points. Antonia Bennett added nine points for FAMU, while Melissa Daniels scored seven points with seven rebounds. The Ratt lers were without second-leading scorer Stephanie Foster for most of the game. Foster, suff ering from the fl u, played just seven minutes.
2009-10 Pitt Women’s Basketball2 0 0 8 a n d 2 0 0 9 N C A A T o u r n a m e n t S w e e t 1 6 P a r t i c i p a n t
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Sha Brooks had 24 points and eight rebounds and Lonnika Thompson added a career-high 16 points Sunday, sending Florida (No. 24 ESPN/USA Today, No. 20 AP) past Pitt sburgh (No. 19 ESPN/USA Today, No. 16 AP) 90-83. The Gators (11-1) won their 11th consecuti ve game and snapped Pitt ’s nine-game winning streak. Shavonte Zellous scored a career-high 42 points for the Panthers (9-2). She was 13-of-24 from the fi eld, 3-of-4 from 3-point range and 13-of-14 from the line. Zellous, who grew up in nearby Orlando, also had six assists and four rebounds. Xenia Stewart added 15 points for Pitt . Stewart and Zellous helped the Pan-thers turn a 55-46 defi cit into a 70-62 lead midway through the second half. But Thompson hit three consecuti ve 3-pointers to put the Gators go back in front for good. Florida used some off ensive rebounds, a couple steals and four free throws in the fi nal minute to seal the victory.
Halft ime-UF 46-44; FG pct. - PITT .492, UF .470; 3-pt. FG pct. - PITT .571, UF .455; FT pct. - PITT .813, UF .783.A - 1,377; Offi cials - June Corteau, Felicia Grinter, Bill Titus
Game 11 (9-2, 0-0 Big East)Dec. 21, 2008
#20 Florida 90, #16 Pitt 83 O’Connell Center (12,000)
PITTSBURGH—For the fourth consecuti ve season, Pitt ’s women’s basketball team earned its 10th win of the season before the month of January, as the Panthers garnered a 93-50 victory over Western Kentucky, this evening, at the Petersen Events Center. Pitt improved to 10-2 on the season. Tonight’s victory was also the 99th win for head coach Agnus Berenato at Pitt , as she has compiled a 99-68 record in her six seasons. This is also the fourth 40-plus margin of victory for the Panthers, this year. Pitt was led by seniors Xenia Stewart (Bowie, Md./Riverdale Bapti st) and Shavonte Zellous (Orlando, Fla./Jones) with 17 points, a piece. Also scoring in double fi gures, sophomore Taneisha Harrison (Bowie, Md./St. John’s College High) added 13 points and freshman Kate Popovec (Canfi eld, Ohio/Canfi eld) chipped in 10. Falling one short of tying the school record for blocked shots, Pitt stuff ed 11 shots on the night. Junior Sophronia Sallard (Syracuse, N.Y./Notti ngham/Kansas), sophomore Shayla Scott (Monroeville, Pa./Gateway) and freshman Shawnice Wilson (Pitt sburgh, Pa./Westi nghouse) had three blocks each. In the opening stanza, the Panthers and Hilltoppers went through eight lead changes before Pitt took the fi nal lead with a 9-0 run that was sparked by a Popovec layup. The Panthers held a 37-24 advantage at halft ime. Aft er the break, Pitt conti nued to push and extended its lead to 55-26 with an 18-2 run to open the second half.
#19 Pitt 93, Western Kentucky 50 Petersen Events Center (12,508)
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PITTSBURGH (AP) -Shavonte Zellous had 34 points and No. 19 Pitt sburgh scored the game’s last eight points to beat West Virginia 72-63 in the Big East opener for both schools Sunday. Xenia Stewart scored 12 points as Pitt (11-2, 1-0) earned its 10th win in 11 games and the 100th for coach Agnus Berenato in her six seasons at the school. Takisha Granberry scored 22 points for West Virginia (10-3, 0-1), which rallied from a 57-47 defi cit to close to within one point at 64-63 on Granberry’s basket with 2:13 remaining. But Zellous scored on Pitt ’s next two possessions, and the Panthers added four free throws in the fi nal minute to win. Zellous, who also had fi ve rebounds and four assists, scored twice and Stewart and Taneisha Harrison each hit 3-pointers during a 10-0 run that gave Pitt its 57-47 lead. Liz Repella scored 18 points and Sarah Miles had 14 for West Virginia.
#19 Pitt 72, West Virginia 63 Petersen Events Center (12,508)
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- Emily Cournoyer scored a season-best 19 points with 11 rebounds to propel Providence to a 77-69 upset of Pitt sburgh (No. 20 ESPN/USA Today, No. 19 AP) on Wednesday night. The Friars’ win overshadowed the performance of Shavonte Zellous, who scored 28 points for Pitt (11-3, 1-1 Big East). Zellous, the nati on’s fourth-lead-ing scorer at 23.1 points per game, had 16 in the fi rst half. The win snapped a three-game losing streak for Providence (7-7, 1-1 Big East), which also got 14 points from Mi-Khida Hankins and 13 from Trinity Hull. Providence narrowed a 23-14 defi cit with a 12-2 run late in the opening half to take the lead. Catherine Bove’s 3-pointer with two minutes remaining in the fi rst half pushed Providence’s advantage to 34-27. Providence’s 40 points in the fi rst half were a season high for the Friars, who led by as many as 16 with 9:14 to go in the second half. Providence shot 53.8 percent from the fi eld in the second half to Pitt ’s 34.3 percent. The last ti me the Friars defeated a ranked opponent was Feb. 19, 2008, when they topped then-No. 22 Syracuse 62-58 at home.
Halft ime-PC 40-31; FG pct. - PITT .338, PC .443; 3-pt. FG pct. - PITT .000, PC .556; FT pct. - PITT .742, PC .818.A - 251; Offi cials - Patti Fernandes, Tom Danaher, Mark Zentz
Game 14 (11-3, 1-1 Big East)Jan. 7, 2009
Providence 77, #19 Pitt 69Alumni Hall (2,620)
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PITTSBURGH (AP) -Natasha Williams scored 27 points, Deirdre Naughton added 24 and DePaul rallied from a nine-point second-half defi cit to hand No. 19 Pitt sburgh its second consecuti ve loss, 69-62 on Saturday. Shavonte Zellous had 26 points, six rebounds and fi ve assists, but no other Pitt player scored in double fi gures as the Panthers shot 34.5 percent (20-of-58). The Panthers were coming off a 77-69 loss at Providence on Wednesday. Pitt (11-4, 1-2 in Big East) led 43-34 with 18:44 remaining, but then went scoreless for nearly 6 1/2 minutes. Naughton’s 3-pointer put DePaul (13-4, 1-2) ahead for good at 53-52 with 5:53 remaining. Naughton later hit another 3 and scored off Felicia Chester’s steal on consecuti ve possessions to make it 60-54 with 4:04 to go. The Blue Demons closed it out by outscoring Pitt 7-2 over the last 3:21. DePaul won for the fi rst ti me in three Big East games, but its two losses were to No. 10 Louisville and No. 12 Notre Dame.
Halft ime-PITT 39-34; FG pct. - PITT .345, DU .439; 3-pt. FG pct. - PITT .333, DU .313; FT pct. - PITT .680, DU .700.A - 3,552; Offi cials - Barbara Jo Smith, Eric Brewton, Kathy Ridilla
Game 15 (11-4, 1-2 Big East)Jan. 10, 2009
DePaul 69, #19 Pitt 62 Petersen Events Center (12,508)
Behind 27 points from senior Shavonte Zellous, the Pitt women’s basketball team (12-4, 2-2 Big East) got back on the winning track with a 79-47 dominat-ing victory over USF (14-5, 1-4 Big East) Saturday aft ernoon at the Petersen Events Center. The 32-point victory is the largest Pitt win over the Bulls in school history and is the Panthers’ seventh 30-point win this season. “I thought with the week off we really prepared for South Florida,” head coach Agnus Berenato said. “I’ve got to give credit to Xenia Stewart. She gave us 26 minutes running the point, had nine assists and didn’t turn the ball over once. Our seniors knew how much we really needed this win and they came out a litt le too fast, but I thought their leadership really got us going.” Although there were four lead changes, Pitt pulled away mid-way through the fi rst half with an 11-0 run to take the 22-13 lead for good. Sophomore Shayla Scott (Monroeville, Pa./Gateway) got the team started with two quick three-pointers in the fi rst two and a half minutes of the game. Scott went on to score nine, while adding seven rebounds. Zellous (Orlando, Fla./Jones), in additi on to her game-high 27 points, added seven rebounds, three blocks, two assists and two steals in 32 minutes. She shot 3 of 8 from three-point range and was 8-for-9 from the free throw line. The senior guard is currently second in the country and fi rst in the Big East in scoring with 23.8 points per game. Also scoring in double fi gures for the Panthers in the win were Taneisha Harrison (Bowie, Md./St. John’s College) with 13 points and Pepper Wilson (Pitt sburgh, Pa./Westi nghouse), who earned her fi rst career double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Chelsea Cole (Lumberton, N.J./Rancocas Valley) grabbed a career-high 12 rebounds on the day and senior Xenia Stewart (Bowie, Md./Riverdale Bapti st) dished out nine assists without a single turnover from the point guard posi-ti on.
2009-10 Pitt Women’s Basketball2 0 0 8 a n d 2 0 0 9 N C A A T o u r n a m e n t S w e e t 1 6 P a r t i c i p a n t
SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. (AP) — Aft er losing two straight Big East contests and falling out of the women’s basketball Top 25 for the fi rst ti me in six weeks, the Pitt Panthers wanted to make sure their return to the nati on’s elite would be permanent. “Every team has a downfall,” said Pitt senior guard Shavonte Zellous, whose 29 points, 11 rebounds, fi ve assists and four blocks led the Panthers past Seton Hall 76-40 Tuesday night. “We wanted to make a statement that Pitt sti ll has a good team. It’s one of our goals to remain in the Top 25.” Aft er losing consecuti ve games to Providence and DePaul, the Panthers (13-4, 3-2 Big East) have enjoyed two straight blowout wins. They beat South Florida 79-47 on Saturday. “We know how hard it is to win on the road in this conference,” said Zel-lous, the nati on’s second-leading scorer, averaging 23.8 points per game. “We wanted to come out tonight and throw the fi rst punch.” The Panthers, who never trailed, broke the game open in the fi rst half, go-ing on two big runs. The fi rst, a 10-0 stretch over 3:27, pushed the lead to 22-7 with 10:12 remaining. The second, an 11-0 run over 4:11, put the game out of reach at 36-11 with 3:19 remaining. Zellous scored the fi nal fi ve points of that run, part of her 16 fi rst-half points. “Shavonte is one of the greatest players in the country,” said teammate Sophronia Sallard, who added 12 points. “When she’s on a roll, we just let her go. I kind of enjoy watching it, because she’s fun to watch.” Sallard said that the Panthers took their omission from the Top 25 last week to heart. “Of course, everyone on the team took it personal,” Sallard said. “It’s good to be back in there and we want to stay there.”
Halft ime-PITT 76-40; FG pct. - PITT .448, SHU .241; 3-pt. FG pct. - PITT .500, SHU .214; FT pct. - PITT 1.000, SHU .786.A - 525; Offi cials - Dennis DeMayo, June Corteau, Rachelle Jones
Game 17 (13-4, 3-2 Big East)Jan. 20, 2009
#25 Pitt 76, Seton Hall 40 Walsh Gym (2,600)
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Xenia Stewart hit a pullup jumper from right wing at the fi nal buzzer and No. 25 Pitt sburgh held off Syracuse 77-75 on Saturday. The Panthers (14-4, 4-2 Big East) led most of the way and made six straight free throws to take a 75-70 lead with 1:27 to go. Syracuse (13-6, 2-4) then ti ed it aft er Erica Morrow swished a 3-pointer from the top of the key and Chandrea Jones converted a driving layup with 19.7 seconds left . Pitt sburgh called a ti meout with 8.6 seconds to go to set up a fi nal shot, and Stewart was left all alone for the winner aft er the Orange concentrated on Big East scoring leader Shavonte Zellous. Zellous, who assisted on the winning basket, led Pitt with 15 points on 3-for-12 shooti ng, Shayla Scott and Taneisha Harrison each had 13, Stewart fi nished with 11, and Chelsea Cole had nine points and 11 rebounds. Pitt sburgh has now beaten Syracuse three straight ti mes on the Orange’s home court and has won four straight in the series. But the Orange made this one diffi cult throughout, concentrati ng defensively on Zellous, who was averag-ing 24 points a game. Zellous was 1-for-4 from beyond the arc in the fi rst half and did not att empt another. She scored only six points in the second half, four on free throws, and played the fi nal six minutes with four fouls. Pitt sburgh held 10-point leads in both halves, but aft er a three-point play by Pepper Wilson gave the Panthers a 57-47 lead with 15:07 left , Syracuse con-ti nued to display plenty of resolve in the wake of a 54-point loss to top-ranked Connecti cut a week earlier. The Orange responded with their second 14-4 run of the game. Tyler Ash began the spurt by converti ng two follow shots and Morrow fi nished it with a 3-pointer and driving layup to ti e it at 61-all at 9:21. Aft er Vionca Murray hit three free throws to give Syracuse only its second lead of the game, 68-67 with 6:01 left , Scott fed Cole for a layup to give Pitt the lead back and the Panthers managed to hold it. Harrison made four straight free throws and Stewart hit two more to give the Panthers a 75-70 lead with 87 seconds to play.
Halft ime-PITT 42-39; FG pct. - PITT .452, SU .364; 3-pt. FG pct. - PITT .222, SU .412; FT pct. - PITT .708, SU .833.A - 1,647; Offi cials - Kathleen Lynch, Sue Blauch, Bryan Brunett e
Game 18 (14-4, 4-2 Big East)Jan. 24, 2009
#25 Pitt 77, Syracuse 75 Carrier Dome (33,633)
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WASHINGTON (AP) -- Savonte Zellous scored 15 of her 19 points in the second half to lead No. 21 Pitt sburgh to a 50-39 win against Georgetown. Xenia Stewart scored all 11 of her points in the fi rst half for the Panthers. Shayla Scott had her third double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Pitt sburgh (15-4, 5-2 Big East) ti ed its season low for total points, but sti ll won its fourth game in a row. For Georgetown (13-7, 3-4), it was the fewest points the Hoyas have scored since losing to Pitt sburgh 70-33 in the fi nal game last season. Karee Houlett e led the Hoyas with 11 points. The Panthers trailed 27-23 at halft ime, but took the lead with a 13-0 run to open the second half--with nine of the points coming from Zellous--holding Georgetown scoreless for nearly eight minutes. Zellous led the Big East in scoring entering the game, averaging 23.6 points, but she fi nished the fi rst half with nearly as many fouls--three--as points, picking up a personal and a technical in a skirmish for a loose ball in the fi nal seconds before halft ime. Aft er going 1-of-6 from the fi eld in the fi rst half, she came out aggressively in the second half, sparking the Panthers’ moribund off ense and helping Pitt sburgh build the lead. Both teams struggled on off ense before halft ime--Pitt sburgh’s 23 fi rst-half points ti ed their lowest output in any half this season. But while the Panthers’ fortunes improved aft er halft ime, the Hoyas’ did not. Georgetown was 4-of-26 in the second half, scoring a season-low 12 points.
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Shavonte Zellous scored 31 points and No. 21 Pitt sburgh won its fi ft h straight game, 86-54 over Marquett e on Friday night. Zellous, the leading scorer in the Big East, moved within 21 points of be-coming Pitt ’s third 2,000-point scorer. Pepper Wilson had 13 points and 17 re-bounds, and Taneisha Harrison added 15 points for the Panthers (16-4, 6-2). Krystal Ellis scored 13 points for Marquett e (12-9, 3-4), which leads the se-ries 4-2. The Golden Eagles struggled from the start and fi nished 16-for-61 from the fi eld (26 percent). They didn’t make more than nine shots in either half. Zellous shot 6-for-12 and scored 17 points in the fi rst half as the Panthers raced to a 43-21 lead. Pitt sburgh outrebounded Marquett e 50-36 and outscored the Eagles 32-20 in the paint.
Halft ime-PITT 43-21; FG pct. - PITT .500, MU .262. 3-pt. FG pct. - PITT .429, MU .214; FT pct. - PITT .667, MU .731.A - 5,684; Offi cials - Bill Titus, Denise Brooks-Clauser, Angie Enlund
Game 20 (16-4, 6-2 Big East)Jan. 30, 2009
#21 Pitt 86, Marquette 54 Petersen Events Center (12,508)
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Pitt sburgh (AP) - Shavonte Zellous scored 29 points, surpassing 2,000 in her ca-reer, and No. 22 Pitt sburgh beat No. 19 Notre Dame 82-70 on Tuesday night for its sixth straight victory. Xenia Stewart and Taneisha Harrison scored 17 points and Shayla Scott added 11 points and a career-high 18 rebounds for the Panthers (17-4, 7-2 Big East). Pepper Wilson had 12 rebounds for Pitt sburgh, which beat Notre Dame for the third ti me in the past four games. Notre Dame leads the series 17-3. Becca Bruszewski and Erica Solomon scored 14 points for Notre Dame (16-5, 5-4), which has lost four of its past six games. Zellous, the Big East’s leading scorer, became the third player in school his-tory to surpass 2,000 points when she made a one-handed lay-in with 12:30 left in the game. She was fouled on the play by Ashley Barlow, but missed the free throw. Notre Dame, which never led, closed to 49-48 on Erica Williamson’s basket 5 minutes into the second half. Zellous then scored eight points during a 14-6 Pitt run which put the Panthers ahead 63-54. The Irish got no closer than seven points the rest of the way. Zellous scored 11 of Pitt ’s fi rst 21 points but was limited to 12 minutes in the fi rst half because of foul trouble. Pitt raced out to leads of 8-0 and 15-4. The Irish got as close as three points before a late run by the Panthers gave them a 40-31 halft ime lead.
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) - Sophronia Sallard scored a career-high 20 points and Shayla Scott hit consecuti ve 3-pointers in overti me to help No. 19 Pitt sburgh beat Rutgers 61-53 on Tuesday night, ending a 13-game losing streak to its Big East rival. Scott fi nished with 12 points and 12 rebounds and Shavonte Zellous added 15 points for Pitt (18-4, 8-2), which has won seven straight. Epiphanny Prince scored 21 points for Rutgers (13-9, 5-6), which hadn’t lost to Pitt in 11 years. With the game ti ed at 49 in overti me, Scott hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key to give Pitt a three-point advantage. Prince made a layup to cut the defi cit to one before Scott hit another 3-pointer from the corner with 1:16 left to make it a four-point game. Prince missed a 3-pointer in the corner and Sallard hit two free throws to seal the victory. Rutgers held a 41-33 lead with 8:35 left in regulati on before Pitt sburgh went on a 10-2 run to ti e it at 43. Sallard and Scott scored eight of the 10 points during the spurt. Sallard hit a jumper to ti e it at 45 on the next possession. Prince missed a fl oater in the lane with 35 seconds to go and on the ensuing rebound Nikki Speed threw the ball away giving Pitt sburgh one last chance to win in regulati on. Sallard missed a 15-footer and Scott ’s follow was blocked out of bounds with 2.3 seconds left . Zellous caught the ball in the corner off the inbounds, but her jumper bounced off the rim as ti me expired sending the game to overti me. Zellous, who came in leading the Big East with 24 points a game, was just 5-for-16 shooti ng. She became the third Pitt women’s basketball player to score 2,000 points when she had 29 points in the Panthers’ 82-70 victory over Notre Dame on Feb. 3. Pitt was averaging 79 points before scoring a season-low against Rutgers. The Panthers struggled to get points against the Scarlet Knights, sett ling for jumpers. The Panthers, who averaged 21 free-throw att empts a game didn’t take their fi rst unti l Zellous was fouled on the fastbreak nearly 2 minutes into overti me.
Halft ime-PITT 25-24; FG pct. - PITT .385, RU .357. 3-pt. FG pct. - PITT .278, RU .000; FT pct. - PITT 1.000, RU .650.A - 3,203; Offi cials - Dennis DeMayo, Lisa Matti ngly, Eric Brewton
Game 22 (18-4, 8-2 Big East)Feb. 10, 2009
#19 Pitt 61, Rutgers 53 (OT) Louis Brown Athletic Center (8,000)
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STORRS, Conn. (AP) -It was a special day for Renee Montgomery. Montgomery became the fi rst acti ve player in UConn history to have her jersey put up in the Huskies of Honor and she scored 20 points to help the top-ranked Hus-kies beat No. 19 Pitt sburgh 95-42 on Sunday. Connecti cut scored the game’s fi rst seven points before Shayla Scott hit a 3-point-er for Pitt . UConn then went on a 15-0 run that included fi ve points by Montgomery to build a 22-3 lead just 5 minutes into the game. “The way we played today it would have been hard for anyone to beat us,” Au-riemma said. “We played really, really well today.” Shavonte Zellous scored 16 points to lead the Panthers (18-5, 8-3), who never recovered and could only get within 16 points the rest of the game. Maya Moore added her 14th double-double of the season with 18 points and 12 rebounds for the Huskies, while Tina Charles had 18 points and 11 rebounds, and Kalana Greene had 11 points and 11 rebounds. It was second ti me Connecti cut had three players with double-doubles. Tiff any Hayes scored 15 points, marking the 11th ti me this season UConn has had fi ve players score in double fi gures. The Panthers were out of this game quickly, unable to contain the Huskies. They didn’t score consecuti ve baskets unti l nearly 12 minutes had gone by in the fi rst half. Pitt ’s mini 7-0 spurt cut the defi cit to 28-12, but Moore quickly answered with a 3-pointer and Connecti cut was off and running again. The Huskies, including the coaching staff , wore pink sneakers in honor of breast cancer awareness and the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. UConn’s uniforms had a special pink trim while Pitt sburgh wore completely pink uniforms.
PITTSBURGH (AP) - Shavonte Zellous scored 23 points and Shayla Scott hit a pair of 3-pointers during a late 11-0 run and No. 19 Pitt sburgh withstood Laura Kurz’s 35 points to beat Villanova 70-54 on Wednesday night. Kurz made 14 of 21 shots and all six free throws, but no other Villanova player had more than seven points. Pitt sburgh (19-5, 9-3 in Big East) rebounded from a 95-42 loss to No. 1 Connecti -cut on Sunday by closing to within one victory of its fourth consecuti ve 20-win season. The Panthers, who have four regular-season games remaining, ti ed Villanova (17-9, 9-3) for third place in the conference standings but own the ti ebreaker by virtue of the win. The top four teams in the conference receive a two-game bye in the Big East tour-nament. Kate Popovec added 12 points and Xenia Stewart scored 11 for the Panthers, who led 54-50 with 7:20 remaining before going on the decisive run ended by Scott ’s 3-pointer with 3:03 to play. Scott scored nine points. Pitt sburgh, which held a 37-25 rebounding edge, used a 12-2 run to take a 32-20 lead in the fi rst half.
Halft ime-PITT 34-24; FG pct. - PITT .436, VU .447. 3-pt. FG pct. - PITT .500, VU .143; FT pct. - PITT .818, VU .667.A - 3,120; Offi cials - Bonita Spence, Janice Aliberti , Carol Comanita
Game 24 (19-5, 9-3 Big East)Feb. 18, 2009
#19 Pitt 70, Villanova 54 Petersen Events Center (12,508)
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PITTSBURGH (AP) -Shayla Scott converted a three-point play and made two free throws during a decisive 14-0 run during the second half and No. 19 Pitt sburgh over-came some sub-par shooti ng to beat Cincinnati 68-53 on Saturday. Shavonte Zellous and Xenia Stewart scored 16 points each for the Panthers (20-5, 10-3 in Big East), who assured themselves of a fourth consecuti ve 20-win season. Zellous made only 6 of 22 shots while being held seven points below her 23.0 average, but also had six rebounds and fi ve assists. The Panthers withstood their 36.9 percent shooti ng (24 of 65) by holding a 43-26 advantage in rebounding. Pitt led 41-40 following Kahla Roudebush’s layup for Cincinnati (13-13, 3-10) with 14:10 remaining before outscoring the Bearcats 22-3 over the next nine minutes, a stretch that included the 14-0 run. Jill Stephens scored 17 points for Cincinnati .
#19 Pitt 68, Cincinnati 53 Petersen Events Center (12,508)
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) - Shavonte Zellous scored 25 points, overcoming fi rst-half foul trouble, to help No. 15 Pitt sburgh beat West Virginia 72-60 on Tuesday night. The Panthers (21-5, 11-3 Big East) were down by 12 in the fi rst half, but used a 44-point second half to win for the 10th ti me in their past 11 games. Zellous picked up her second foul with 12:18 remaining in the fi rst half and was forced to sit for the next seven minutes as her team cut the defi cit to eight. She re-turned with 5:19 left in the half and the Panthers went into the locker room up 28-27. Pitt started the second half with six consecuti ve points, but West Virginia (15-12, 3-10) wouldn’t go away as Takisha Granberry made a 3-pointer to halt Pitt ’s momen-tum. With the Mountaineers leading by two, Zellous’ layup started a 12-0 run to seal the victory. Liz Repella scord 17 points and Granberry added 16 for West Virginia. Pitt ended the game on a 15-7 run to secure the victory and clinched at least a No. 3 seed for the Big East Tournament.
Halft ime-PITT 28-27; FG pct. - PITT .394, WVU .386. 3-pt. FG pct. - PITT .267, WVU .278; FT pct. - PITT .640, WVU .611.A - 1,275; Offi cials - Bill Titus, Lisa Matti ngly, Kevin Pethtel
Game 26 (21-5, 11-3 Big East)Feb. 24, 2009
#15 Pitt 72, West Virginia 60 WVU Coliseum (14,000)
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Louisville senior Candyce Bingham had a career day in her last home game. She scored a career-best 26 points, making 10-of-12 free throws to help No. 8 Louisville beat Pitt sburgh (No. 20 ESPN/USA Today, No. 15 AP) on Saturday to secure the second seed in the Big East tournament next week. Fellow senior Angel McCoughtry added 22 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Shavonte Zellous scored 15 and had six rebounds for the Panthers, and Sophronia Sallard scored 13. Sallard made one fi eld goal, scoring two points, in the second half aft er making all fi ve of her fi eld goals in the fi rst half. Though the Panthers had four players 6-3 or taller on their roster, compared to Louisville’s tallest player, 6-2 Keshia Hines, the Cardinals outscored them 44-18 in the paint and had 15 off ensive rebounds. Hines had 12 points and 10 rebounds. The Cardinals never trailed and put the game away with a 15-point run in the second half, aft er the Panthers got within three. Pitt sburgh couldn’t overcome its 25 turnovers. Louisville built a 20-9 lead in the fi rst half before Pitt sburgh rallied to cut the defi cit to 24-20 on a 3-pointer by Zellous. Louisville extended the lead to six at the half. The Panthers closed to 39-36 and was down 47-42 before Louisville took over scoring the next 15 points -- including six by Bingham. McCoughtry’s 3-pointer, her last shot in Freedom Hall as a Cardinal, gave the Car-dinals a 73-47 advantage for its biggest lead of the game.
Halft ime-UL 35-29; FG pct. - PITT .415, UL .443. 3-pt. FG pct. - PITT .300, UL .333; FT pct. - PITT .737, UL .783.A - 11,335; Offi cials - Wesley Dean, Denise Brooks-Clauser, James Marable
Game 27 (21-6, 11-4 Big East)Feb. 28, 2009
#8 Louisville 75, #15 Pitt 51 Freedom Hall (18,865)
PITTSBURGH -- Shavonte Zellous scored 18 points in her fi nal home game and Pitt s-burgh (No. 20 ESPN/USA Today, No. 14 AP) rebounded from a loss by defeati ng St. John’s 79-60 on Monday night. The Panthers (22-6, 12-4 in Big East) opened up a 13-point lead at halft ime and had few problems in tying the school record for regular-season victories. Pitt was com-ing off a 75-51 loss to No. 7 Louisville on Saturday. Sky Lindsay scored 16 points and Kelly McManmon had 12 for St. John’s (16-13, 4-12), which dropped its fi ft h in six games. Zellous, who has 2,136 points, and Xenia Stewart each ended their regular-season careers at home for the Panthers, who are 92-37 the past four seasons aft er going 39-70 the previous four. Stewart scored 12 points, giving her 1,284 for her career. Pepper Wilson added 12 points and 11 rebounds and Sophronia Sallard had 10 points for Pitt , which previously clinched third place in the Big East standings.
Halft ime-PITT 43-30; FG pct. - PITT .492, SJU .387. 3-pt. FG pct. - PITT .444, SJU .273; FT pct. - PITT .579, SJU .500.A - 3,386; Offi cials - Bruce Morris, Sue Blauch, Kathy Ridilla
Game 28 (22-6, 12-4 Big East)March 2, 2009
#14 Pitt 79, St. John’s 60 Petersen Events Center (12,508)
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HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Shavonte Zellous took a few seconds at halft ime to pause and relax. The moment to refl ect was all she needed to get herself going in the second half as she scored 15 of her 18 points aft er the break to help No. 14 Pitt sburgh hold off DePaul 62-59 on Sunday night in the quarterfi nals of the Big East tournament. Pitt sburgh (23-6) led 60-55 on Xenia Stewart’s free throw with 1:40 left , but De-Paul (23-9) wasn’t done. Deirdre Naughton had a three-point play and Keisha Hamp-ton hit one free throw to cut the defi cit to 60-59 with 44.7 seconds left . Stewart scored 14 points and Sophronia Sallard added 12 for Pitt . Trailing 49-40, DePaul went on a 13-5 run to cut the defi cit to 54-53 on Williams’ layup. She had a chance to complete the three-point play and ti e it, but missed the free throw. Naughton got her fi rst basket on a layup during the spurt. She came in averaging 15.7 points, but missed her fi rst 10 shots. She fi nished with eight points, going 2-for-15 from the fi eld. Stewart hit a jumper and Zellous had a three-point play to make it 59-53. Williams’ layup set up the exciti ng fi nish. Pitt built its lead early in the second half turning a two-point edge into a 45-33 ad-vantage with a 12-2 spurt. Zellous, the Big East’s second-leading scorer at 22.6 points, ignited the burst with her fi rst basket of the game. Naughton was held scoreless unti l she hit two free throws with just over a minute left in the fi rst half to give DePaul a 28-27 lead at the break. Zellous was 0-for-6 from the fi eld and had three points at the intermission. She wasn’t the only Panthers player to struggle from the fi eld. The team was just 9-for-34 (27 percent). DePaul wasn’t much bett er going 9-for-35 (26 percent). Third-seeded Pitt sburgh got a bye through the fi rst two rounds of the tourna-ment. The Blue Demons advanced to the quarterfi nals by beati ng West Virginia 75-72 in overti me. DePaul won the regular-season meeti ng between the teams, beati ng Pitt sburgh 69-62 on Jan. 10.
Halft ime-DU 28-27; FG pct. - PITT .349, DU .323. 3-pt. FG pct. - PITT .250, DU .286; FT pct. - PITT .696, DU .647.A - 8,957; Offi cials - Mark Zentz, Angie Lewis, Joanne Aldrich
Game 29 (23-6, 12-4 Big East)March 8, 2009
#14 Pitt 62, DePaul 59 XL Center (16,294)
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - For the second straight year, Louisville and Connecti cut will meet in the Big East championship game. The fi ft h-ranked Cardinals aren’t scared of the big, bad Huskies, even aft er losing to the No. 1 team in the country by 35 points earlier this season. McCoughtry scored 31 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to help No. 5 Louisville (29-3) hold off 14th-ranked Pitt sburgh 69-63 on Monday night setti ng up the champi-onship rematch. Trailing 63-62 with 1:40 left , McCoughtry’s three-point play gave Louisville a two-point edge with 1:12 left . Aft er a turnover by Xenia Stewart, McCoughtry hit a pull-up jumper from the wing with 23.5 seconds remaining to make it 67-63. Deseree Byrd hit two free throws for the fi nal margin. Shavonte Zellous scored 24 points to lead Pitt sburgh (23-7). Trailing by 10 at the break, Pitt sburgh rallied to within one behind Zellous. She scored seven points as the Panthers opened the second half with a 14-4 run to cut the defi cit to 46-45. McCoughtry and Louisville answered scoring the next eight points to make it 54-45 with 11:06 left in the game. Pitt wasn’t done, going on a 18-8 burst to take a 63-62 lead - its fi rst lead since early in the fi rst half. Pepper Wilson, who had a career-high 16 points, hit back-to-back layups to cap the run and give the Panthers the edge. Third-seeded Pitt sburgh made it to this round by edging DePaul 62-59 on Sunday night. Pitt faced Louisville on Feb 28 at the Cardinals senior day. Louisville won 75-51 as Candyce Bingham scored 26 points. In the fi rst half Monday, Louisville struggled early on and was trailing 14-13 before going on a 12-2 run to take a 25-16 advantage. McCoughtry had six points during the burst. Pitt sburgh then scored six straight to make it a three-point game. But Louisville rebuilt its double-digit margin ratt ling off 11 of the next 12 points and led 41-31 at the half.
Halft ime-UL 41-31; FG pct. - PITT .370, UL .490. 3-pt. FG pct. - PITT .260, UL .286; FT pct. - PITT .720, UL .739.A - 9588; Offi cials - Dennis DeMayo, Barb Smith, Bonita Spence
Game 30 (23-7, 12-4 Big East)March 9, 2009
#5 Louisville 69, #14 Pitt 63 XL Center (16,294)
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SEATTLE, Wash. (AP) - Shavonte Zellous scored 15 of her 31 points in the fi rst half to keep Pitt even with energized and inspired Montana, and the superior talent of the fourth-seeded Panthers took over in the second half of a 64-35 win on Saturday night in the fi rst-round of the Oklahoma City Regional. Zellous carried Pitt in the fi rst half and the Panthers defense did the rest. Pitt held 13th-seeded Montana to just 10 second-half points, tying the tournament record for fewest points allowed in a half. Connecti cut gave up just 10 to Long Island in the second half of a fi rst-round game in 2001. While Pitt coach Agnus Berenato claims her team doesn’t have any stars, it’s clear they’d be lost without Zellous. As her teammates struggled with Montana’s plodding, methodical pace in the fi rst half, Zellous kept knocking down contested shots in traffi c, and rarely missed when she found herself open in space. She then took advantage of Montana’s countless mistakes in the second half as a one-point Pitt (24-7) lead at halft ime turned into a comfortable rout. Zellous scored six straight in barely 1 minute as part of the Panthers’ 13-2 run to open the second half that fi nally dimmed any upset hopes for the 13th-seeded Lady Griz. Zellous hit 13 of 27 shots and grabbed nine rebounds. Shayla Scott added 11 points, including a pair of 3-pointers during Pitt ’s decisive charge to start the second half. The undersized and less athleti c Lady Griz did their best to negate the Panthers superior talent in the fi rst half. They handled Pitt ’s trapping pressure defense in the early going and milked the shot clock on nearly every possession. But when the shots stopped falling, the Lady Griz quickly found themselves looking up at a huge defi cit and getti ng worn down by the intensity of every possession against Pitt ’s aggressive defense. Mandy Morales led Montana (28-5) with 11 points and eight assists, but her enti re team struggled in the second half. Morales scored with 18:33 left in the second half to keep Montana within 28-27, but the Lady Griz missed their next eight shots and added seven turnovers to a 10-minute scoreless drought that was fi nally broken on Britney Lohman’s free throw with 8:20 left . By then, Montana was in a 49-28 hole and the 2,000 or so Lady Griz fans that made the eight-hour trek from Missoula to Seatt le were left without much of a growl. Montana didn’t score another fi eld goal unti l Jessa Loman Linford’s turnaround in the lane with 4:30 left , but Montana was just 4 of 22 shooti ng in the second half. The Lady Griz were trying for their fi rst tournament win since beati ng San Diego State in the fi rst round of the 1995 tourney as a No. 12 seed. Montana, which won its 21st Big Sky regular season ti tle this season, has now dropped its last eight tourney games.
Halft ime-PITT 26-25; FG pct. - PITT .448, UM .292; 3-pt. FG pct. - PITT .400, UM .182; FT pct. - PITT .667, UM .500.A -2,853 ; Offi cials - Gator Parrish, Shelley Nakasone, Darren Krzesnik
Game 31 (24-7, 12-4 Big East)March 21, 2009
#14 Pitt 64, Montana 35 Bank of America Arena (10,000)
SEATTLE (AP) - Shavonte Zellous carried Pitt sburgh back to the round of 16. Barely. Zellous scored nine of her 24 points in the fi nal 4 minutes, and Pitt sburgh capitalized on Gonzaga’s youthful mistakes in the closing minutes of a 65-60 win in the second-round of the Oklahoma City Regional on Monday night. The 12th-seeded Bulldogs made life extremely diffi cult for the No. 4 seed Panthers, but it was Zellous and Pitt ’s experience coming through at the end. Zellous scored on a pair of drives off Gonzaga turnovers in the fi nal 2 minutes then hit a pair of free throws to put the Panthers up 63-60 with 15.9 seconds left aft er another Gonzaga mistake. When Janelle Bekkering’s 3-pointer missed with 6 seconds left , the Panthers were headed to the regional semifi nals for the second straight year. Xenia Stewart capped the victory with a pair of free throws with 3 seconds left and the Pan-thers assured themselves a date with either top-seeded Oklahoma or No. 9 seed Georgia Tech in the round of 16. Last year, Pitt advanced to the regional semis for the fi rst ti me in school history before getti ng bounced by eventual nati onal fi nalist Stanford. Zellous struggled through one of her toughest outi ngs of the season, only to come through with crucial plays in the closing minutes as Gonzaga showed the signs of a team playing just its three NCAA tournament game in school history. Neither team shot very well, but Pitt (25-7) was 20 of 22 at the free-throw line, the only two misses by Zellous. For all the great plays spunky Gonzaga point guard Courtney Vandersloot made in helping the Zags stay even with Pitt for most of the night, she was responsible for two ti pped passes that turned into breakaways by Zellous in the closing minutes. Vandersloot led the Bulldogs (27-7) with 18 points, seven assists and seven rebounds. Heath-er Bowman, the Bulldogs’ leading scorer, batt led her way to 15 points, but scored only one basket in the fi nal nine minutes. The second half was a constant back-and-forth swing of momentum, neither team able to put together a sustained run and build any sort of cushion. The biggest lead for either team was Pitt ’s fi nal fi ve-point margin. The Panthers led to 51-47 with 7:41 left and seemed on the verge of fi nally pushing ahead for good. But like most of the second half, Gonzaga wasn’t done. Vandersloot scored on a fl oater and Bowman’s three-point play on the low block pushed Goznaga ahead by one. The Zags lead was three aft er Vandersloot’s smooth drive out of a ti meout with 3:46 left , but Zellous pulled Pitt even with a 3 and Stewart’s 3 put the Panthers up 57-56 moments later.
#14 Pitt 65, Gonzaga 60 Bank of America Arena (10,000)
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OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (AP) - Whitney Hand couldn’t quite remember her teammate’s buzzer-beati ng 3-pointer that started Oklahoma’s big run. And it took a few moments for her to remember the wild scoop shot that she contributed to that surge. Looking back, the game seemed to be as much of a blur for her as she made it for Pitt sburgh. Hand set new career highs with 22 points and eight rebounds, and the top-seeded Sooners rolled to a 70-59 win over Pitt on Sunday night to reach the regional fi nals of the NCAA tournament for only the second ti me in school history. Oklahoma (31-4) put the game away with a 20-2 second-half surge that included Hand’s crazy shot that bounded its way into the basket. The Sooners were hardly bothered by foul trouble that kept Court-ney Paris off the court much of the game, getti ng double-digit scoring from all fi ve starters. Paris, the Sooners’ All-American center, made waves on her senior night earlier this month when she promised that Oklahoma would win its fi rst nati onal ti tle or she’d pay back her scholarship money. So far, it has been Hand - who missed the last four games of the regular season with a broken left index fi nger - that’s been Oklahoma’s go-to girl in the NCAA tournament. And while she won’t take the credit, her coach is ready to give it to her. Shavonte Zellous scored 18 points on 7-for-20 shooti ng to lead Pitt , which lost in the round of 16 for the second straight year. Oklahoma, which made its only other regional fi nal appearance in 2002 on its way to the nati onal championship game, advances to face sixth-seeded Purdue (25-10) on Tuesday night. Hand hit three 3-pointers and scored 15 points in the second round against Georgia Tech to shake the rust off aft er three miserable games in which she went a combined 2-for-22 and got shut out twice. As it turned out, that was just a preview of what was to come. She hit four 3-pointers and scored 17 of the Sooners’ fi rst 32 points as Oklahoma shrugged off Paris’ early foul trouble. Aft er Paris went to the bench with her second foul, the Sooners outscored Pitt 15-7 over the next 3 1/2 minutes and stretched their lead to 39-25 on Nyeshia Stevenson’s 3-pointer with 3:03 left before halft ime. Then, aft er Paris went to the bench with her fourth foul early in the second half, Hand came through with her circus shot in the lane. Hand gave an open-mouthed grin and got a few pats on her backside from her teammates before stepping to the line to complete her three-point play and make it 60-37 with 13:18 remaining. Oklahoma’s lead grew to 27 on Jasmine Hartman’s free throw shortly thereaft er, and Pitt only made a dent in the lead by closing the game on a 12-0 run. Ashley Paris, Courtney’s twin sister, had 12 points and 12 rebounds for Oklahoma while her sister narrowly missed out on her 127th career double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds. Danielle Robinson and Stevenson, making her third straight start in place of the injured Amanda Thompson, scored 10 apiece. Thompson, who played only 3 minutes total in the fi rst two rounds because of an injured left foot, logged another 3 minutes aft er the game was out of hand in the second half. Pitt went just 23-for-74 from the fi eld - including a 1-for-12 stretch to start the second half. It got bad enough for the Panthers that even in the middle of their 10-2 run to got the lead below 20 points, freshman Kate Popovec fell into the lane before Zellous could att empt the front end of a one-and-one and Pitt lost possession. The Panthers already had to overcome a raucous home crowd for the Sooners, who were playing less than a half-hour from their campus. More than an hour before the game, the crowd was already showing its favoriti sm. When an image of Paris and two teammates walking down a hallway was fl ashed on the big screen in the second half of the Purdue-Rutgers game, fans applauded and yelled. The Sooners then got one standing ovati on when they fi rst stepped into the arena, huddling and jumping up and down near the unoccupied Pitt bench, and another as they ran back off the court aft er warmups.
