PITTSBURGH — On Tuesday night, Tory Verdi’s Pitt women’s basketball squad took down Canisius 78-36 in the 2024-25 season opener at the Petersen Events Center.
Pitt guard Marley Washenitz kickstarted the Panthers, scoring the game’s first six points. Washenitz hit two layups and earned one steal in the early going.
The Panthers fed off of Washenitz’s energy, heating up on the offensive end right out of the gates. Texas transfer and team captain Khadija Faye quickly took control, scoring the Panthers’ next ten points.
Throughout the remainder of the first quarter, Pitt earned contributions from Aislin Malcolm, Aaryn Battle, and others. With a last-second three pointer from Malcolm, Pitt took a 27-10 lead into the second quarter. Washenitz and Faye started the game alongside Brooklyn Miles, Amiya Jenkins, and Lauren Rust.
Malcolm continued to shine throughout the early portion of the second quarter, hitting two more shots to bring her personal streak to nine-straight points for the Panthers.
Faye overpowered the Golden Griffins in the paint, dominating the glass. In the first half alone, she collected seven rebounds, with four coming on the offensive end. She finished the half with a team-high 12 points, while Malcolm added 11 and Washenitz added 8.
In the third quarter, Faye continued her dominance inside. She reached a double-double in the frame, grabbing her tenth rebound and finishing in the paint with consistency.
Pitt cruised to the win with another strong quarter behind Faye, Malcolm, and Washenitz. Faye finished with a career-high 27 points and 12 rebounds, while Malcolm had 11 points and Washenitz added eight points and five steals. Lauren Rust added six points and eight rebounds in the victory, while Amiya Jenkins added 10 points. As a team, Pitt shot 44% from the field and 15% from three-point range.
Pitt forced 35 Canisius turnovers in the win. The Panthers turned the ball over 19 teams.
With the win, Pitt advances to 1-0 on the season. The Panthers’ next game comes on Saturday, Nov. 9, when they will take on Bucknell at 1 p.m. at the Petersen Events Center.
