Pitt women look to PSU

Rivalry week begins for the Pitt women’s basketball team with a Monday night matchup against… Rivalry week begins for the Pitt women’s basketball team with a Monday night matchup against Penn State.

After losing to Penn State 80-74 last year in the final game of the WBCA Classic, the women’s basketball team is seeking revenge.

‘Penn State is definitely our in-state rival, and we are looking forward to playing them,’ said Pitt coach Agnus Berenato. ‘The team is very excited — we’re fired up.’

With one win squared away, the Panthers (1-1) look to snag a second by demolishing their rival.

The last time the Nittany Lions played the Lady Panthers at the Pete, Pitt came out victorious. But Penn State’s win over the Panthers last season moved the Lady Lions to 16-1 overall against the Panthers in State College.

‘Since I’ve been here, we beat them in our home. Then they crushed us in their house, so basically the team is making sure that we whip that tail tomorrow night,’ said senior guard Xenia Stewart.

This year, Penn State is coming to Pittsburgh with a record of 3-0 — the latest win was an 80-49 victory over Prairie View.

Despite the absence of guard Jania Sims, the Panthers aren’t expecting to miss a beat.

‘I think you just have to play every game the way you know how,’ said Berenato.

While Sims’ absence affects the team negatively, the Panthers are finding other ways to win. Every Pitt player had a part in the 88-60 victory over Western Michigan on Thursday night, and the team doesn’t plan to do anything different tomorrow night in the Penn State matchup.

‘With [Jania] out, we know that everyone needs to step up,’ said Stewart. ‘When players get a chance to come in, we’re willing and prepared to help out.’

The Panthers’ game against Penn State marks the first rivalry-week matchup. The second half of rivalry week will be this Friday, when the football team will face West Virginia.

In addition to taking on the Nittany Lions during the rivalry week action, the Panthers teamed up with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and the UPMC Health Plan to take on hunger in Pittsburgh by participating in the Hometown vs. Hunger initiative.

Every student who brings a nonperishable food item to the game will receive a discount at the Panthers’ Team store.

Prior to the start of the game, the Panthers will unveil their Sweet 16 banner from last season.