Pitt sends off seniors in fitting, victorious fashion

Perhaps the most productive senior class in Pitt history was given a proper send off last… Perhaps the most productive senior class in Pitt history was given a proper send off last night.

Seniors Karlyle Lim, Marcedes Walker and Mallorie Winn were honored at mid-court before routing Georgetown, 70-33.

All three players earned the start for Pitt and soon displayed why they are part of the senior class that led Pitt to three consecutive 20-win seasons for the first time in Pitt history, not to mention the winningest class in program history.

“Words can’t say what they have meant to the program,” Pitt coach Agnus Berenato said. “It’s going to be really, really different when they’re not here. What they’ve done is they’ve built a legacy, and now we have tradition.”

The game was brutal from the outset.

On the Panthers very first possession, Walker was inadvertently hit in her eye, forcing her to turn the ball over. The eye seemed to bother her again on Pitt’s second trip down the court, as she was unable to handle an outlet pass from Winn.

The Panthers (20-9, 10-6 Big East) adjusted their game, however. By attacking the rim, they lured the Hoyas into committing nine first-half fouls.

Despite the tremendous physicality under the rim, Pitt felt no ill effects from the 3-point range in the early going. The Panthers connected on 4 of 9 from beyond the arc in the first half. The Panthers defense, meanwhile, was absolutely stifling. Georgetown (15-14, 5-11) constantly struggled to get into the paint and settled for many long-range attempts. The Hoyas shot a miserable 4 of 32 in the first half, including 1 for 10 from 3-point range.

The Panthers were ahead, 32-14, by the end of the half, and their lead would only continue to grow in the second half.

Pitt came roaring out of the locker room. The Panthers quickly connected on five shots and took advantage of several Georgetown fouls to extend their lead to 46-19 with 11:31 remaining in the game.

Georgetown made a short run to close the lead to 23, but Pitt continued to score almost at will. Sophronia Sallard put the finishing touches on the victory with 1:31 remaining. Sallard stole the ball at half court and was fouled as she converted a layup. She completed the three-point play with a successful free throw.

Walker made the most of her final appearance at the Petersen Events Center.

At the 7:15 mark of the first half, Walker hauled in the 1,108th rebound of her career. With the board, Walker became Pitt’s all-time leading rebounder.

The 6-foot-3 senior center finished the game with 10 rebounds to go along with her 16 points. She left with 4:13 remaining in the game to a raucous ovation from the 2,889 Pitt faithful in attendance.

After the game, an emotional Walker broke down and cried as she thanked the fans and her coaches for her time at Pitt.

In only her second start of the season, Lim led the team with six assists and added six points. The team totaled 20 assists to Georgetown’s eight.

“We had 20 assists on 23 baskets,” Pitt coach Agnus Berenato said following the game. “That’s beautiful basketball.”

Winn finished with nine points and three rebounds in her final home game as a Panther.

The seniors have combined for a 79-44 record during their careers at Pitt, making it the winningest class in school history.

“These girls have truly done what no one thought could be done,” Berenato said. “And they’ve done it faster and quicker than anyone could have thought.”

Georgetown was led by guard Kristin Heidloff, who finished with nine points on the evening. The team was plagued by 21 personal fouls and 24 turnovers, and the Hoyas shot only 20.8 percent from the field.

With this victory, the Panthers are all but assured of their second-ever trip to the NCAA Tournament.

“We feel like we’ve secured that, like we’re going to the dance,” Berenato said.

Pitt will travel to Hartford, Conn., for the Big East Tournament this weekend. A deep run in the conference playoffs could certainly improve the team’s seeding in the NCAA tournament.

“Our best basketball is ahead of us,” Berenato said. “The sky’s the limit. We’re going for it.