Defense pushes Pitt past Hoyas

After a tough defensive game, the Pitt women’s basketball team secured its fifth Big East win… After a tough defensive game, the Pitt women’s basketball team secured its fifth Big East win with a 50-39 victory over Georgetown last night. Pitt (15-4, 5-2 Big East) held the Hoyas to 14-of-49 shooting (29 percent) and allowed only one double-digit scorer. Entering the game, the Hoyas (13-7, 3-4) were averaging 67.8 points per game. ‘I was really proud of our defensive effort,’ said Pitt coach Agnus Berenato after the game. ‘It was good in the first half and absolutely tremendous in the second.’ That defensive effort in the second half limited the Hoyas to just 12 second-half points. Pitt had four steals and outrebounded Georgetown by 12. ‘Any time you hold a team to 12 points, you’re doing something right,’ said Berenato. ‘Shayla [Scott] was key, it was her best game of the year. She was a beast on the boards.’ Scott, a sophomore, had 10 points and 12 rebounds in 37 minutes. Pitt senior Shavonte Zellous, who was named Big East player of the week for her performances during Pitt’s last two games, led the Panthers with 19 points. Guard Xenia Stewart added 11. Despite the win, Pitt shot just 32 percent and went 2 for 14 from 3-point range. Guard Taneisha Harrison went just 1-of-11 from the field and scored four points. But Beranato said Pitt turned its defense into offense. It forced 20 turnovers in the game, leading to easy baskets on the other end. The Panthers scored 23 points off of turnovers and had 13 second-chance points. Pitt will host Marquette at home on Friday at 7 p.m.