Women’s Basketball: Panthers end season in opening round of WNIT

Toledo’s Jessica Williams hit a 3-pointer 18 seconds into last night’s game, and… Toledo’s Jessica Williams hit a 3-pointer 18 seconds into last night’s game, and the Pitt women’s basketball team never recovered.

In fact, that was the closest the Panthers (16-15, 5-11 Big East) got in their loss to the Rockets in their opening round game of the Women’s National Invitation Tournament.

So after trips to the Sweet 16 the past two seasons, and three straight trips to the NCAA Tournament, the Panthers couldn’t advance passed the round of 64 in this year’s WNIT thanks to the 70-58 loss.

Toledo started the game on a 10-0 run on its way to a 46-30 halftime lead.

Most of the offensive damage done by the Rockets came from Naama Shafir and Jessica Williams, who scored 23 and 18 points, respectively. No one else from Toledo scored more than seven points.

Taneisha Harrison led the Panthers with 18 points, and Brittaney Thomas was the only other player in double figures with 12. Chelsea Cole, who came into the game with six straight double-doubles, scored eight points and pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds.

As a team, the Panthers shot just 32.8 percent from the field, including just 19 percent from beyond the arc. Toledo, however, shot 43.6 percent from the field and 47.4 percent from 3-point range.

One positive for the Panthers heading forward, however, is none of their starters and seniors and all should return next season.