Women’s basketball: No. 20 Pitt upset by Duqesne, fall to 10-2

For the first time in 15 years, the Duquesne women’s basketball team (9-4) defeated a… For the first time in 15 years, the Duquesne women’s basketball team (9-4) defeated a nationally ranked opponent as they handed Pitt (10-2) its second loss of the season.

While Pitt has dominated the City Game 19-8, Duquesne relied on defensive intensity and offensive efficiency to secure a 72-63 victory over the Panthers.

Point guard Vanessa Abel led Duquesne with 17 points and Alex Gensler contributed 14 points along with a team-high five assists.

Duquesne head coach Suzie McConnell-Serio was pleased with her team’s performance as they work toward their goal of becoming a top-25 program.

“Hopefully this win gives us confidence that we can play with good teams,” she said. “This win is a sign that we have been battle-tested, but we are a work in progress with too many consistencies to be considered a top program.”

Gensler, a Pittsburgh native, was especially proud to be a part of Duquesne’s historical victory.

“I used to come to the Pitt games with my dad,” she said. “And to beat them on their floor feels great.”

The Panthers struggled offensively throughout the game and Duquesne took advantage of these errors in creating 21 turnovers and 12 steals.

Pitt head coach Agnus Berenato was “disappointed” with the Panther’s overall performance in the game, as she contributed the loss to mistakes and a lack of game-plan understanding.

“Duquesne capitalized on our mistakes and I congratulate them,” Berenato said. “Our team just doesn’t seem to understand the concept of pitch and penetrate and they settled for the jump shot on too many occasions.”

Shayla Scott, contributing 16 points to the Panther’s effort, also attributed the loss to Pitt errors.

“Just from looking at the statistics, I can see that our defense was lacking,” Scott said. “We had no intensity in the first half, and if we did, that would have changed the entire game.”

With Big East conference play approaching in January, Berenato noted that her team “is not even close to being ready for Big East play.”

“There are only six undefeated teams remaining in the nation — and three of them are in the Big East,” Berenato said. “We are part of the best conference in the country.”

Taneisha Harrison, who netted 17 points in the game, led the Panthers on offense, while Shawnice “Pepper” Wilson and Scott also ended the contest with double-digit scoring figures.

The Panthers will head back to the Petersen Events Center on Wednesday to take on Mount St. Mary’s in a 1 p.m. tip-off.