Update (9:06 p.m.)-
Pitt women’s basketball kept it close with No. 15 Louisville, but a collapse in the fourth quarter led to a 74-44 blowout.
The Panthers (6-11 overall, 0-4 ACC) drop their fourth straight game, all coming in the ACC, making it three straight seasons they’ve lost their first four games in conference play. It is their eighth straight loss in ACC play dating back to last season and their 22nd straight loss to the Cardinals (14-2 overall, 3-0 ACC), which started back in 2010, when both teams still played in the Big East. It is also the 12th straight loss to the Cardinals at home and the 54th loss to a ranked opponent since 2015.
Louisville began the game with a 14-0 run over the first four minutes. Graduate student guard Sydney Taylor, who played under Pitt head coach Tory Verdi at UMass, made two 3-pointers, while senior forward Olivia Cochran made two baskets in the paint.
The Panthers finally broke into the scoring column with a 3-pointer from first-year guard Jasmein Timmerson at the 5:42 mark. They would then embark on an 11-2 run to cut the lead to five points at 16-11. Two layups from Cardinals guards in senior Eylia Love and graduate student Kiki Jefferson put them up nine at the end of the period.
Both teams struggled to score in the second quarter, with Pitt holding Louisville to just two field goals in the first nine minutes. Pitt managed to use this time to outscore Louisville 12-6, with graduate student forward Jala Jordan hitting two 3-pointers. Louisville used two 3-pointers from guards in senior Merrisah Russell and junior Jayda Curry to take a 32-25 lead into halftime
Jordan scored five points to start the second half for the Panthers, but senior forward Liatu King picked up two quick fouls to total four early on, forcing her to the bench.
The Cardinals scored six points after King came off the court, leading to Verdi calling a timeout. The Panthers would get some baskets to go, with sophomore guard Aislin Malcolm making two shots, keeping it within 10 points at the end of the third quarter.
Louisville totally dominated in the fourth quarter, outscoring Pitt 26-6 to end up with a 30-point blowout. They shot 12-for-15 from the floor, 80%, with most of their points coming on easy layups, as 16 of their points came on the fastbreak off Pitt turnovers.
The Cardinals shot 52.6% from the field in their win, the highest field goal percentage against the Panthers this season.
Taylor led with 13 points, while Jefferson and Cochran provided 10 points themselves for the Cardinals.
King finished with six points, making it the first time she hasn’t scored in double digits all season for Pitt.
Pitt will travel to face Boston College on Sunday, Jan. 14 at noon, to try and get their first ACC win.
Update (2:57 PM)-
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Update (11:00 AM)-
