Pitt women’s hoops fear the turtle

The Pitt women’s basketball team traveled to Maryland last night in search of an upset win… The Pitt women’s basketball team traveled to Maryland last night in search of an upset win against a national powerhouse. Instead, the Panthers headed back to Pittsburgh in disappointment.

The No. 3-ranked Terrapins came out firing and didn’t yield, starting the game with a 9-0 run and fighting off surges of Pitt offense to pull out a 90-77 win.

Just a week after defeating Mount St. Mary’s 82-31, Pitt couldn’t get enough going to come through with the upset, and it found itself on the losing end for the second time this year.

In their first game against a ranked opponent this season, the Panthers were sloppy early and found themselves behind 26-8.

“We started out like we were shell-shocked,” Pitt coach Agnus Berenato said in a release.

“We have to make layups and we can’t foul and we had problems with both of those.”

They fought their way back into the game, though, and they trailed by just eight midway through the second half.

Despite a 30-point offensive explosion from guard Shavonte Zellous, and Pitt’s strong play the rest of the game, Maryland proved to be too strong and received great production from virtually every starter.

Zellous, a junior, went 11-for-23 from the floor and 8-for-8 from the line for 30 points.

She also brought in five rebounds and dished out an assist.

“They didn’t have an answer for her tonight,” Berenato added.

Marcedes Walker, who averaged 14 points per game coming in, put up just seven points on 1-for-8 shooting. Walker also struggled from the stripe, going 5-for-11.

Maryland’s senior forward Laura Harper led the way for the Terps with 21 points, nine boards, two blocks and a steal.

Preseason All-American center Crystal Langhorne, who wasn’t expected to play because of an ankle injury, added 15 points and 13 rebounds.

Maryland’s other All American, Marissa Coleman, put up an additional 16 points.

Despite the Panthers’ tough play throughout the game, Maryland’s size and strength were evident.

The Terps out-scored the Panthers 42-26 in the paint and also out-rebounded them, 42-29.

“Maryland was very strong and played as though they were possessed,” Berenato said.

“We kept fighting back, but we just couldn’t get over the hump.”

Picked to win the loaded ACC conference, Maryland has already taken down two top-10 teams this year.

The Terps defeated both Oklahoma and LSU by 10 points or more.

The Panthers look to rebound on Friday when they hit the road to face Yale in the Marshall University Tournament.

Tipoff is set for 1 p.m.