A Freshman Frenzy leads Stanford to an 86-65 victory over Pitt

Pitt women’s basketball (8-17, 1-11 ACC) kept pace with the Cardinals (15-10) early on, but once Stanford gained ball control and second-chance scoring, the game slipped through Pitt’s fingers. The surge of the second half from the Cardinals turned a close game into an 86-65 victory over Pitt on Thursday night.

Give them their flowers

While the Panthers struggled to keep up with the pace on the box score, the energy on the sidelines never changed. The cheer and dance teams brought constant noise and energy to the Petersen Event Center. Even with a smaller audience, they made sure to keep the energy high from the tip-off to the final buzzer. They stayed loud, engaged and locked in, keeping a good atmosphere to the intense game. 

Even though the Panther spirit never faded and Stanford controlled much of the scoreboard, first-year guard Theresa Hagans Jr. brought the heat to the court. Hagans finished with 21 points and played with the attacking mindset the Panthers needed to keep up.

By the numbers

Stanford led Pitt 18-4 in points off turnovers, changing the course of the game. The Cardinals committed just five turnovers while Pitt had twelve, which allowed the Cardinals to shift the momentum and turn the Panthers’ mistakes into easy scores. Stanford continued to dominate on their second chances, outshooting Pitt 17-3 in second-chance points thanks to 11 offensive rebounds. Those extra possessions kept pressure on Pitt’s defense and prevented the Panthers from fully regaining control. 

What about the other side?

The Cardinals didn’t just win the game — they controlled the court with balance and strong communication. They finished with 21 assists and five turnovers, with two players driving Stanford’s success. First-year forward Lara Somfai stole the game with 23 rebounds and eight assists, giving their team steady control of the game’s tempo. Stanford capitalized on the opportunities Pitt gave them, and junior guard Chloe Clardy was a prime example of such. Clardy led the charge with 26 points, knocking down six three-pointers and stretching the Panther defense outside every time. Their teamwork was simple but effective and built a lead that Pitt couldn’t match. 

Beyond the court

The game extended beyond basketball as the Petersen Event Center hosted a Black History Month Celebration alongside the action. Between plays and timeouts, the Jumbotron featured spotlights on Black history in Pittsburgh, including the Hill District — also known as “The Hill” — as a cultural hub for Black life in the City. It celebrated the impact of Black physicians and leaders such as Martin Delany, and these tributes blended basketball with reflection, celebration of Black culture and history, and the impact beyond the sport itself.

What’s next for the Panthers 

Next up, Pitt will return to action against the University of California, Berkeley (15-10) on Sun, Feb. 8, for a chance to tighten their defense before the next set of ACC games. Their next game after that is at home on Thurs, Feb. 12, against Syracuse (9-5).