City Game Returns This Week

The City Game will return to the Petersen Events Center this week, with Duquesne’s women’s basketball team traveling down Fifth Avenue to face off against Pitt.

Duquesne won last year’s City Game 56-55 at UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse behind a 20-point outing from Megan McConnell, along with 11 points from Naelle Bernard and nine from Tess Myers. Kiandra Browne also added six points and six rebounds for the Dukes in the tight victory on their home court.

Duquesne men's and women's basketball on PSN is sponsored by Moon Golf Club.

Now, the game will head back to Pitt. The Panthers, in year two of the Tory Verdi era, have been missing several players due to injury as of late. Star forward Khadija Faye missed action in the team’s recent trip to the U.S. Virgin Islands, while two other starters — Amiya Jenkins (out for season) and Lauren Rust (out for a significant period) — are also injured. The Panthers went 0-3 on their trip to the Virgin Islands, and are looking to bounce back in the City Game.

One positive development from Pitt’s last game in the Paradise Jam event last week was the offensive production from Bella Perkins. Perkins hit all six of her three-point attempts for the Panthers in their last game of the event, and finished with 26 points in 31 minutes off the bench.

The Dukes have won two straight, including a win on Sunday over Saint Francis (PA). Pitt transfer Gabby Hutcherson had a career day against the Red Flash, scoring 22 points and only missing two shots (both were three-point tries).

“I’m trying to stay as level-headed as I can,” Hutcherson said. “I’ve got to approach it like every single other game. I’ve got to be locked in. Nothing can change about what we’re doing, preparation wise, and what I’m doing mentally, physically to prepare for the game. Obviously, it means a little bit more. I’m just happy to be where I feel loved, feel like I’m a part of a family, and I think I’m going to put all of that into the game on Wednesday.”