Streaking Panthers travel to Syracuse

‘ ‘ ‘ Fresh off two convincing wins after two disappointing losses, the Pitt women’s basketball… ‘ ‘ ‘ Fresh off two convincing wins after two disappointing losses, the Pitt women’s basketball team looks to get back to string three wins together for the first time since it won nine straight in its non-conference schedule. ‘ ‘ ‘ Next up for the No. 25 Panthers (13-4, 3-2 Big East) are the Syracuse Orange (13-5, 2-3 Big East), as the two teams are set to face off Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Carrier Dome. ‘ ‘ ‘ In the Panthers’ two recent losses to Providence and DePaul, junior guard Shavonte Zellous was seemingly the only Pitt player who could get anything going. ‘ ‘ ‘ Besides Zellous, who is averaging a gaudy 23.8 points per game this season, the only other Panther to score in double figures in either of the losses was senior Xenia Stewart, who notched 18 points against Providence. ‘ ‘ ‘ Not coincidentally, the Panthers’ turnaround in their current two-game winning streak has been aided by the improved play of the supporting cast. ‘ ‘ ‘ In the 79-47 thrashing of South Florida last Saturday, sophomore guard Taneisha Harrison had 13 points, while freshman center Shawnice ‘Pepper’ Wilson tallied 12 points. ‘ ‘ ‘ Then, in the 76-40 win over Seton Hall on Tuesday, two other Panthers stepped up to score in double figures. Junior forward Sophronia Sallard had 12 points, and sophomore guard Shayla Scott contributed 10 as well. ‘ ‘ ‘ The Panthers hope all of these players remain on top of their game, as Syracuse is a motivated team right now, coming off its worst loss of the season, a convincing 107-53 pummeling at the hands No. 1-ranked Connecticut. ‘ ‘ ‘ The Orange are led by sophomore guard Erica Morrow at 17.7 points per game, senior guard Chandrea Jones at 15.5 points per game and junior forward Nicole Michael, who scores nearly 13 points a contest. ‘ ‘ ‘ Both Jones and Michael average 8.2 rebounds per game to tie for the team lead in that category. ‘ ‘ ‘ The game aside, perhaps the biggest storyline for Syracuse is the altercation that occurred in the postgame handshake after the loss to Connecticut. ‘ ‘ ‘ Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma had a few things to say to Michael after the game, and then things got worse as he tripped over her foot. Auriemma had to be restrained by Connecticut assistant coach and former Pitt assistant Shea Ralph. The Big East decided not to take any action in the case.