Duquesne, Pitt to Play Women’s City Game in 2019

The 2019 City Game between Duquesne and Pitt will not be played — in men’s basketball.

But the women’s version of the game is alive and well, Pittsburgh Sports Now has learned.

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Pitt and Duquesne will meet on the hardwood at Petersen Events Center on Nov. 23, continuing the series that has been played annually since 1984 and 37 times overall.

While Pitt has been dominant in the men’s series, the women’s games have been much more competitive. Pitt leads the all-time series 21-16, after the Panthers were victorious this past season.

Pitt beat the Dukes, 66-58, in the final game of the series to be played at A.J. Palumbo Center, thanks to 23 points from junior point guard Jasmine Whitney. Palumbo Center is being torn down and re-built as UPMC Chuck Cooper Fieldhouse for the 2020-21 season. 

That win snapped a four-game winning streak in the series for Duquesne. The Dukes have won eight of the last 10 games played. 

“We look forward to playing the City Game again,” Duquesne coach Dan Burt said to PSN. “It’s a game that is very good for women’s basketball in Pittsburgh.”

Duquesne finished the 2018-19 season with a 19-13 record and an 11-5 mark in Atlantic-10 play, but lost in the semifinals of the A-10 tournament to Fordham. Duquesne graduated four seniors from last year’s team.

Pitt posted a 11-20 record in its first season under head coach Lance White, with a 2-14 mark in ACC play. The Panthers bowed out in the first round of the ACC tournament and will need to replace three graduating seniors, including leading scorers Danielle Garven and Cassidy Walsh.

PSN’s Zachary Weiss contributed to this report.