Women split two games in Radisson Suites Classic

The Pitt women’s basketball team traveled to Boca Raton, Fla., this weekend and participated… The Pitt women’s basketball team traveled to Boca Raton, Fla., this weekend and participated in the Radisson Suites Roundball Classic. The Panthers suffered an opening round loss to the UNC-Wilmington Seahawks Friday night, but rebounded to beat the Florida Atlantic Owls in the consolation round Saturday night.

UNC-Wilmington 79, Pitt 59

In game one, the Panthers (4-2) could not overcome poor shooting as they shot just 24-of-61 from the field. The Seahawks were able shoot 53 percent from the field as they connected on 31-of-58 shots.

Pitt found itself down 15-2 approximately seven minutes into the first half as it missed its first nine field goal attempts of the half. After a slow start, the Panthers were able to go on a 6-2 run and pull within nine points.

UNC-Wilmington would not be outdone as it went on a 15-0 run for the following six minutes, 24 seconds.

Pitt went into the locker room at halftime trailing 43-21, which was the largest deficit on the season.

The Panthers only converted 36 percent of their shots compared to the Seahawks, who shot 63 percent from the field. Pitt also was out-rebounded 43-30 and had a season low 11 assists compared to UNC-Wilmington’s 21.

After the half, Pitt was not able to get any closer than 20 points as it lost by a final score of 79-59. The Panthers were only able to connect on three out of 10 three-pointers and five out of nine foul shots.

Senior guard Brooke Stewart and freshman guard Shavon Earp led the Panthers with 14 points apiece. Earp’s 14 points is a career high and she also made six of nine shots from the field.

Laine Selwyn contributed eight points, four rebounds, four assists and four steals, and Mandy Wittenmyer added 11 points.

After the loss, the Panthers moved onto the consolation round to take on host Florida Atlantic.

Pitt 111, Florida Atlantic 87

The consolation game between the Panthers and Owls was a high scoring affair as 198 total points were scored in the game. Pitt’s 111 points was its most points scored in a game since Dec. 18, 1990, when the Panthers scored 111 points versus Kent State.

The closest that Florida Atlantic came was when it pulled within one point, making the score 14-13 with 14 minutes, 19 seconds left in the first half.

Pitt went on an 18-2 run and never looked back. At halftime it was a different story from its opening round game as the Panthers had a 51-33 lead. In the first half, the Panthers were able to connect on 24 of 39 shots from the field.

Pitt had five players score in double digits. Wittenmyer led the Panthers with a game high 31 points as she made 14 of 18 shots from the field. Wittenmyer also contributed three blocked shots, six rebounds and was three-for-three from the free-throw line.

Stewart added 22 points, three assists and three steals while sophomore guard Amy Kunich had 11 points. Kunich also had a career-high 14 assists while Earp scored 12 points. Selwyn had 11 points and 12 of the Panthers’ 34 assists.

The Panthers outscored the Owls in the paint 54-36 and forced 33 turnovers. The two squads combined for 48 personal fouls and 55 free throws.

Pitt is off this week and is back in action Dec. 14 at 2 p.m. when it hosts Penn State.