The Pitt women’s basketball team got 2019 off to a tough start, as the Panthers were dominated in their ACC opener on Thursday night, losing 100-44 to No. 2 Notre Dame.
The Fighting Irish are one of the most talented teams in the country, with returning 2018 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player Arike Ogunbowale leading the charge.
After Pitt senior Danielle Garven knocked down a jumper to tie the game at 2-2 just 49 seconds into the game, Notre Dame went on a 21-0 run that immediately put the game out of reach. It was more of the same in the second period. Junior point guard Jasmine Whitney hit a jumper on the first possession before the Irish finished the half on 28-2 run.
Ogunbowale had 18 points on an incredibly efficient 7 of 9 shooting. Fellow guards Marina Mabrey had 20 points and Jackie Young had 16. Pitt was able to hold down the Irish interior attack, with senior forward Jessica Shepard held to six points on 1 of 8 shooting.
But the perimeter play was more than enough, as Notre Dame shot 52.3 percent from the floor and 47.1 percent from 3-point range.
Jasmine Whitney led Pitt with nine points and four assists. Garven had seven points and four rebounds, while senior center Kalista Walters scored four points and grabbed eight boards.
The Panthers will continue their two-game road swing to open conference play with a trip to NC State on Thursday, Jan. 10.
