The Pitt Women’s Basketball Team overwhelmed Delaware State in the third quarter, besting the Hornets on School Day, by an 80-45 count Wednesday afternoon.
Pitt (4-1) was paced by Khadija Faye’s third double-double of the season consisting of 21 points and tied a career high with her 14 rebounds. Mikayla Johnson achieved 13 points while grabbing seven rebounds. Brooklyn Miles achieved 12 points and set a personal best with nine assists.
In this game, Pitt matched its record under second-year coach Tory Verdi with nine three-point baskets. The Panthers made all nine of their free throws. Pitt also enjoyed advantages in points off turnovers (32-8), rebounds (44-30), points in the paint (36-16), fastbreak points (22-3), steals (18-5) and had 22 assists up against 10 turnovers.
All 10 active Pitt players saw the court, with eight achieving a double-figure total. Nine of those 10 scored.
Delaware State (2-4) saw Mahogany Cottingham score 11 points and grab five rebounds.
It was a fast start for Pitt as Delaware State opened shooting 1-for-7 from the field. Meanwhile the hosts utilized a 12-0 run, to take early command of the contest.
During this barrage, Faye was attacking the glass and utilizing opportunities she created for herself to do so. Miles’s three-point basket off a Johnson pass activated a Hornets timeout.
Delaware State started to round into form offensively and defensively forced the Panthers to call an early timeout as they were trapped around halfcourt.
The Hornets ability to regroup was evidenced by a 5-for-10 shooting clip following the stoppage. Pitt was unable to extend its advantage past 10 points, and a Najah Lane triple cut the Delaware State disadvantage to four points.
Faye’s turnaround jumper just before the buzzer, snapped a 3:47 scoreless streak, and placed Pitt in front by a 20-14 count after 10 minutes.
Delaware State greeted the second quarter with a three-point effort off Cottingham’s hands, after which Kiarra Mcelrath did the same, bringing the sides to within two points.
Kyra Lawrence completed the 8-2 run with a jumper off a Lane pass, tying the game at 22.
After each team matched the other on its next two respective trips down the court, Pitt closed the half on an 8-0 run taking a 35-27 halftime lead.
The third quarter only emphasized this run as it reached 27-0 run.
This barrage continued as Pitt scored 10 points, prior to a Delaware State timeout. The dagger was a Johnson three, extending the lead to 18 points.
The Hornets were held without a basket for 11:18 of game action, a streak snapped by a jumper with 3:09 remaining in the period.
Pitt came out of the locker room applying a press defense and ultimately forced 24 turnovers while committing 10 of its own, the second fewest in the Verdi era.
Delaware State was held to six points, one off the Verdi record. Pitt led 60-33 after three quarters, after Aaryn Battle converted a jumper with four seconds remaining in regulation.
Pitt held won the final quarter by eight points and emptied its bench. Audrey Biggs scored the game’s final basket.
Pitt remains at the Petersen Events Center when it hosts Robert Morris Saturday with a 1 p.m. tipoff slated.
