Lance White is building a talented roster and some of those new additions played a big role in Pitt’s first ACC win of the season.
The Pitt women’s basketball team overcame a 14-point second half hole to beat Clemson, 80-71, at the Petersen Events Center. The Panthers improve their record to 3-2, 1-1 in the ACC, while this was Clemson’s first loss of the season (6-1, 1-1).
Sophomore Dayshanette Harris led the Panthers with a game-high 21 points (9-16 from the field), while Jayla Everett finished with 16 points, four assists, three rebounds and three blocks. Two other Panthers finished in double-figures as Amber Brown collected 14 points, five rebounds and four steals, while Liatu King came off the bench to contribute 11 points and two rebounds.
Pitt entered the fourth quarter trailing 61-49 before Harris went on a 7-0 run all by herself and the Panthers finally took the lead 67-66 following a layup by King. After following behind by four points, Pitt fought back and took the lead for good after a 3-pointer by Gabbie Green. After that, the Panthers defense smothered Clemson and help them scoreless for the remaining 3:41 of the game.
The 31-point fourth quarter is the second highest scoring quarter in program history.
“Well, obviously I’m really excited about an ACC win and I thought the things that we did in the third and fourth quarters were much better,” said Pitt head coach Lance White. “I was really disappointed in the way we started the game. I thought we were really flat and just got out rebounded and out hustled during every part of it. Then our kids flipped a switch and that’s what we’ve talked so much to this team about, about being able to do so in those moments and we did it today.”
This win marked the Panthers first ACC home opening win since joining the ACC in 2013-14.
Pitt’s next game is a week from today (December 20th) when they’ll take on Florida State in Tallahassee.
