Bulls gore Panthers in final seconds

Despite starting the game on an 18-2 run, Pitt women’s basketball could not fend off South… Despite starting the game on an 18-2 run, Pitt women’s basketball could not fend off South Florida in a 65-64 Big East loss Saturday night.

South Florida outscored Pitt (19-9, 9-6 Big East), 26-16, after the Panthers’ initial run. The Bulls took the lead for good with just five seconds left when guard Shantia Grace made a layup.

Pitt’s Shavonte Zellous missed the Panthers’ last shot as time ran out. It was Pitt’s sixth loss in eight games.

“It was a tough game, and it came down to a big last-play shot,” Pitt coach Agnus Berenato said.

Pitt held South Florida (14-14, 4-11) to single digits midway through the first half, but the Bulls battled back from a 15-point deficit, making it a 34-28 spread by halftime.

Junior Xenia Stewart, who led the Panthers with nine points at the end of the first, opened the second half with her second 3-pointer of the game. Two minutes into the second half, Zellous hit a jump shot to push Pitt’s lead back up to double figures, 39-28. It was Pitt’s biggest lead in the second half.

After several minutes of exchanging baskets, a free throw by Bulls’ sophomore Porche Grant with 12:15 left made it a nine-point game, 47-38. With 7:40 remaining, a foul shot by South Florida senior Chichi Okpaleke brought the Bulls within one, 55-54.

Scores by Pitt freshman Taneisha Harrison, center Marcedes Walker and Zellous in the final minutes helped keep Pitt ahead of the Bulls, but missed layups, poor foul shooting and rebounding proved costly for the Panthers.

“We missed some free throws and did not do a great job boxing out,” Berenato said.

Walker and Grace led their respective teams, each scoring a game-high of 17 points. Stewart and Zellous followed closely, adding 13 apiece for the Panthers.

The Panthers hope to regroup when they return to action on Monday. against Georgetown at the Petersen Events Center at 7 p.m. Monday’s game is Senior Night for Walker and guards Mallorie Winn and Karlyle Lim.

“Our team will regroup to play Georgetown; I’m sure our seniors will be ready,” Berenato said.