Women lose close game

Laine Selwyn scored a game-high 23 points, and Dallas Williams grabbed a career-high 11… Laine Selwyn scored a game-high 23 points, and Dallas Williams grabbed a career-high 11 boards, but both of their efforts were thwarted, as the Pitt women’s basketball team lost a 57-54 thriller at Providence on Saturday.

For Pitt, the close finish was nothing new, as seven of its games this season have been decided by five points or less. Unfortunately for the Panthers, Pitt has been on the losing end of six of those games, including an 80-77 home setback against the Friars Jan. 11.

Both teams shot 39.9 percent from the field, but the Friars went seven-of-18 from three-point range, while the Panthers shot only 20 percent from beyond the arc. Pitt outrebounded Providence 37 to 31, but the key difference in the game was evident in the assist-to-turnover ratio.

The Panthers turned the ball over 24 times, including twice in the last minute of the game, and managed only one team assist in their worst output of the season. The Friars actually gave the ball up more than the Panthers, losing 25 turnovers, but they managed 15 team assists.

Selwyn went nine-of-18 from the field and one-of-two from the free-throw line to lead all scorers, and she also pulled down eight rebounds. Mande Wittenmyer chipped in 14 down low, and Williams added six points to her 11 rebounds. Amy Kunich went four-of-five from the foul line to keep the game close and finish with eight points.

Center Jessica Simmonds led the way for the Friars with 16 points and four boards. Kristin Quinn came off the bench for Providence and notched 14 points, while Michal Epstein scored 13 points and racked up 5 assists from the guard position for the Friars.

The Friars (9-12 overall, 3-7 in the Big East conference) snapped a five-game losing streak and completed a season sweep of Pitt with the win, while the Panthers (10-10, 2-7) have lost four of their last five and are in danger of missing the Big East tournament for the second consecutive season.

Pitt will host No. 22 Villanova this Tuesday at the Petersen Events Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.