Women’s Basketball: Sims earns MVP honors as Panthers sweep through tournament

Jania Sims scored 14 points and dished out four assists to lead the Pitt women’s basketball… Jania Sims scored 14 points and dished out four assists to lead the Pitt women’s basketball team to an 80-58 win over Marshall (2-4) in the championship game of the Thanksgiving Tournament on Saturday night.

Sims was named the tournament’s MVP, while Chelsea Cole and Shayla Scott were named to the all-Tournament team.

The No. 24 Panthers (5-0) struggled in their last two games before Marshall, slipping by Appalachian State and St. Francisby a combined 12 points.

Sims said it was a relief for every possession not to be crucial in the championship game.

“It felt good to have a lead and keep a lead,” Sims said. “We came into the game just being aggressive. We executed plays and we came out on top.”

Pitt head coach Agnus Berenato said the Panthers had good leadership on the court.

“Anytime you can win your tournament at home, it’s a great thing,” Berenato said. “Whenever you’re a ranked team, everybody’s gunning for you. I thought we really played with some heart and emotion.”

Although rebounding remained virtually even throughout the game, Berenato said she was pleased that the Panthers finished with a 40-36 advantage on the boards.

Despite the close rebound totals, the Panthers dominated the paint, outscoring the Herd 32-16 inside.

The Panthers took advantage of 19 Marshall turnovers to rack up 24 points off the mistakes. In contrast, Marshall scored nine points off Pitt’s 11 turnovers.

Marshall got within nine points at the 10:48 mark of the second half, but the Panthers stretched the lead to 14 off a Cole jumper and consecutive Sims and Taneisha Harrison 3-pointers.

Four Pitt players besides Sims reached double digits.

Scott contributed 11, while Harrison put up 15 and Cole added a double-double, finishing with 11 points and 11 rebounds.

“Chelsea really came into her own tonight,” Berenato said. “She is getting better every game. Shayla really had great production and this was her most complete weekend.”

Cole added that her confidence has continued to increase throughout the season and she credited her teammates for continuing to pass her the ball.

Harrison, who had two points at the break, finished as the team’s leading scorer.

Berenato described Harrison as an explosive player who has the ability to be a difference maker.

“I think she saw her opportunity to be aggressive [in the second half],” Berenato said. “She’s our best defensive player, but we also look to her to be a scorer for us.”

Shawnice “Pepper” Wilson also contributed 10 points for the Panthers.

Tynikki Cook, who had a game-high 17 points and grabbed nine rebounds, led Marshall. Chantelle Handy and Mystee Dale also reached double figures with 16 and 11 points, respectively.

Handy was named to the all-tournament team.

The Panthers next game is on Dec. 2, when they take on Youngstown State at 7:05 p.m. at the Petersen Event Center.