White About Now: New Women’s Basketball Coach Meets Pitt
By Joanna Li | Staff Writer
April 19, 2018
When Lance White watched Jeff Capel — the next head coach of Pitt’s men’s basketball team — speak about his late father’s advice to take time and sleep on big decisions, he figured he would follow that advice if he was ever given the same opportunity. Instead, when he was offered the role as ...
Pitt hires Lance White as women’s basketball coach
By Jordan Mondell | Assistant Sports Editor
April 18, 2018
Florida State associate head coach Lance White has been hired as Pitt’s new head women’s basketball coach, the University announced Wednesday. Lance, who was named the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association assistant coach of the year in 2017, was hired by Pitt Athletic Director Heather Lyke ...
Pitt celebrates survivors with Pink the Pete
By Dominic Campbell | Staff Writer
January 26, 2018
Pitt women’s basketball will play in a tough matchup against No. 18 Duke this Sunday, but unlike a normal game, the focus will be on something much bigger than the sport. The game coincides with Pink the Petersen, an event that focuses on breast cancer awareness by recognizing and honoring survivo...
Nittany lions pounce on Panthers, 59-48
By Trent Leonard / Staff Writer
December 17, 2017
The Pitt women’s basketball team (6-5) fell to Penn State (9-3), 59-48, Sunday afternoon at the Petersen Events Center, continuing Penn State’s consistent victories over Pitt this year. Pitt led early in the contest, but shot an just 16 percent on three-pointers and allowed Penn State junior guard Te...
No timeouts: Balling over break
By Grant Burgman and Dominic Campbell | Staff Writers
December 11, 2017
Being a Division I athlete comes with undeniable perks — official gear, tuition aid and the chance to be on television. But athletes miss out on a lot — including enjoying a full winter break of relaxation and family. “That’s one of the sacrifices you have to make if you want to play Division...
Panthers defeat Seahawks, 74-55
By Dominic Campbell | Staff Writer
December 9, 2017
Pitt women’s basketball secured an easy win against University of North Carolina Wilmington Saturday afternoon, finally ending its losing streak. The Panthers (6-4) defeated the Seahawks (5-4) 74-55, earning them a win after three consecutive losses, which included two last-second defeats again...
Panthers fall in Backyard Brawl, 73-52
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
December 7, 2017
The Pitt women’s basketball team traveled to West Virginia Thursday night to rekindle the Backyard Brawl rivalry that had been inactive since 2012. The Panthers were outmatched by their Big 12 opponent, however, and fell to the Mountaineers, 73-52. Pitt (5-4) entered the game riding a two-game losing streak afte...
Pika shoots for Pitt and Puerto Rico
By Dominic Campbell | Staff Writer
December 1, 2017
Pika Rodriguez may have just started playing for the Pitt women’s basketball team, but she comes in with valuable experience that most players don’t have. Before the first-year guard arrived at Pitt, she devoted two years to the Puerto Rican national team. Now, she’s establishing her presence...
Wisconsin badgers Pitt women’s basketball to win 58-57
By Grant Burgman | Staff Writer
November 29, 2017
The Pitt women’s basketball team had a last-second chance to win its Wednesday night game against Wisconsin, but when the ball ricocheted off the rim as time expired, it was the Badgers who stood victorious. The team entered Wednesday’s game on a three-game winning streak with its previous lo...
Panthers pick up win against Cornell, 51-39
By Dominic Campbell | Staff Writer
November 14, 2017
The Petersen Events Center was full of kids from surrounding schools ready to watch an exciting game between the Pitt women’s basketball team and Cornell Monday in the ninth annual School Day game. But they instead watched a low-scoring game the Panthers nearly lost. The Panthers (2-0) etched out a 51-39 win ov...
Panthers pen win over Penguins, 66-58
By Brandon Glass | Staff Writer
November 11, 2017
The Pitt women’s basketball team battled back from an early deficit to open its season with a 66-58 win against Youngstown Friday night. The Panthers (1-0) and the Penguins (0-1) both had relatively lackluster performances at the Petersen Events Center. Both teams made a little over a third of their...
Crimson Hawks sink talons into Panthers, win 73-68
By Dominic Campbell | Staff Writer
November 5, 2017
When the Pitt women’s basketball team last faced the Crimson Hawks, the Panthers won the game 72-40. Sunday’s exhibition matchup at the Petersen Events Center was a completely different game. The new team of Panthers fell to Indiana University of Pennsylvania, 73-68, after playing in a game where...
Forget the Pete, hit the street: Pitt to play at Cathedral
By Abbot Zuk | Staff Writer
October 12, 2017
The Pitt basketball teams are leaving the Pete behind Friday night, but for this spectacle they’re not travelling far. Migrating from upper campus to Bigelow Boulevard, the Panthers will be putting all of their skills on display under the lights outside the Cathedral of Learning. The men’s an...
Pitt women’s basketball signs Kyla Nelson for upcoming season
By Mackenzie Rodrigues | Assistant Sports Editor
April 24, 2017
Coming off a month in which player after player has fled Pitt’s basketball programs, the women’s team got a commitment from a premier international player on Monday. The Pitt women’s basketball team announced it signed 5-foot 11 inch combo guard Kyla Nelson for the upcoming season. Nelson is from Wo...
Women’s basketball renews Backyard Brawl
By Mackenzie Rodrigues | Staff Writer
April 20, 2017
The Backyard Brawl is returning to yet another sport — women’s basketball. Pitt announced in a press release Thursday afternoon that its rivalry with the West Virginia University women’s basketball program will resume Dec. 7, in Morgantown, West Virginia. The rivalry — which has been dormant for fiv...
Panic at the Pete: Wise, Johnson’s transfers cause for alarm
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
April 3, 2017
It started with a harmless announcement March 13. That’s when sophomore guard Crisshawn Clark revealed his intention to transfer from the Pitt men’s basketball team after missing the entire 2016-17 season with a torn MCL and meniscus. Clark could have provided some useful depth for the Panthers if health...
Pitt women’s basketball team maintains status quo in 2016-17 season
By Mackenzie Rodrigues | Staff Writer
March 14, 2017
Around the time North Carolina guard Jamie Cherry buried her fifth 3-pointer of the game in the first round of the 2017 ACC Tournament, the Pitt women’s basketball team was starting to realize its season was over. The Panthers ended the regular season with a 13-16 overall record and a 4-12 record...
ICYMI: Spring Break
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
March 12, 2017
March 3 Wise earns second straight All-ACC Academic selection - Pitt sophomore forward Brenna Wise received her second straight selection to the All-ACC Academic Team after posting a perfect 4.0 GPA in the fall 2016 semester. Wise also led the Panthers in scoring and rebounding for the second year in a ...
Brenna Wise earns second-straight All-ACC Academic selection
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
March 5, 2017
In her two years at Pitt, sophomore forward Brenna Wise immediately took over as the women’s basketball team’s best player following star point guard Brianna Kiesel’s graduation. Now, Wise is following Kiesel’s path in the classroom as well as on the court. The Pittsburgh native receiv...
Panthers’ season ends in 72-60 loss vs. UNC at ACC Tournament
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
March 2, 2017
In last year’s ACC Tournament, North Carolina’s Jamie Cherry tried her best to spoil the Pitt women’s basketball team’s season, but the Panthers prevailed. This time around, the Tar Heels’ sharp-shooting guard single-handedly sent Pitt home. Cherry scored a career-high 32 points in UNC’s 72...
No. 20 Syracuse sinks Pitt on Senior Day, 73-57
By Mackenzie Rodrigues | Staff Writer
February 27, 2017
Fans packed the Petersen Events Center for the 10th annual “Pink the Petersen” game for breast cancer awareness Sunday, but the support wasn’t enough to get the Panthers a win. The Pitt women’s basketball team (13-16 overall, 4-12 ACC) lost its final regular season game to the No. 20 Syracuse Or...
Pitt women’s basketball team falls at No. 8 Florida State, 79-48
By Mackenzie Rodrigues | Staff Writer
February 24, 2017
Once again, Pitt sophomore forward Brenna Wise lit up the scoreboard for the Panthers, but it wasn’t enough to get the win. The Pitt women’s basketball team (13-15 overall, 4-11 ACC) lost its final road game — and its last chance at a winning season — in a 79-48 defeat to the No. 8 Florida ...
A Family Affair: McConnells maintain tradition
By Mackenzie Rodrigues | Staff Writer
February 24, 2017
With her mom and aunt watching from the sidelines in the third quarter of a late November blowout against Slippery Rock University, Pitt sophomore guard Madison Serio drained the first 3-pointer of her college career. Late in the fourth quarter, she buried her second long-range attempt. When she naile...
Panthers swarmed by Yellow Jackets in Atlanta, 71-57
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
February 20, 2017
The Pitt women’s basketball team had a great opportunity Sunday to win its second straight game and move back above .500 with two games left in the regular season. Instead, the Panthers’ chances at a winning season took a serious hit in Atlanta, Georgia. Pitt (13-14 overall, 4-10 ACC) fell to th...
Wise drops career-high 31 on Hokies to lead Panthers to 72-64 win
By Mackenzie Rodrigues | Staff Writer
February 17, 2017
The Pitt women’s basketball team snapped its six-game losing streak Thursday night, and it might not have happened without sophomore forward Brenna Wise breaking a program record. Wise tallied a career-high 31 points — including 25 in the second half — while shooting a perfect 13-for-13 from the ...
Pitt women’s basketball team drops fifth straight vs. Clemson, 54-46
By Mackenzie Rodrigues | Staff Writer
February 10, 2017
The Pitt women’s basketball team continued its trend of playing well in the first half of games and failing to perform in the second half in yet another loss Thursday night. Returning to the Petersen Events Center after a two-game road trip, the Panthers (12-12 overall, 3-8 ACC) fell to the Clemson T...
Panthers fall prey to Deacons, 57-48
By Mackenzie Rodrigues | Staff Writer
February 6, 2017
The Panthers and the Demon Deacons each claimed the lead twice Sunday, but when the Panthers failed to put a stop to the Deacons’ rampant scoring, the game ended with a familiar outcome for the men’s and women’s basketball teams: a Panther loss. The Pitt women’s basketball team (12-11, 3-7 ACC) suffered its...
Pitt women’s basketball slips up at No. 24 Syracuse, 93-65
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
February 3, 2017
Continuing a recurring theme of the 2016-17 season, the Pitt women’s basketball team put up a fight against a ranked opponent Thursday, but couldn’t finish the job. Pitt led Louisville at halftime last Sunday only to give up the first 14 points of the third quarter and fade down the stretch. Th...
Brianna Kiesel signs multi-year contract with WNBA’s Atlanta Dream
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
February 3, 2017
Former Panthers point guard Brianna Kiesel, one of the most decorated players in Pitt women’s basketball history, is back in the WNBA. Kiesel signed a multi-year contract Thursday with the Atlanta Dream, but the team did not disclose the terms of the agreement. Keisel, who graduated from Pitt i...
Panthers falter late against No. 9 Louisville, lose 63-48
By Kevin Bertha | For The Pitt News
January 29, 2017
The Pitt women’s basketball team has tested some of the best teams in the ACC like Louisville and N.C. State, only to give up the lead toward the end of the game and walk off in defeat. Sunday afternoon, the Panthers once again battled against the best but ultimately came up short. Pitt gave the No. 9 Louis...
No. 18 NC State snaps Pitt’s two-game winning streak, 55-42
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
January 27, 2017
The Pitt women’s basketball team rode a two-game winning streak into Raleigh, North Carolina, but that momentum came to end Thursday night against the No. 18 North Carolina State Wolfpack. NC State (16-5 overall, 6-2 ACC) used its stingy defense to contain the Panthers’ outside threats in a 55-...
TPN Panthers of the Month: Eben Vorster and Brenna Wise
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
January 27, 2017
Eben Vorster First-year swimmer Eben Vorster is a mid-year addition to the Pitt men’s swimming and diving team from Bloemfontein, South Africa. Judging by the immediate impact he’s had with the Panthers, he’s still inside his comfort zone at Trees Pool, as Vorster has taken home multiple indivi...
Panthers riding momentum into Raleigh vs. No. 18 NC State
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
January 26, 2017
The Pitt women’s basketball team’s showdown with the Virginia Cavaliers Sunday afternoon was set up to be a turning point for the Panthers’ season, win or lose. In a battle of teams with identical 2-3 records in the ACC, the winner would move to 3-3 in conference play and rise to the middle...
Wise, Panthers hold off Hoos, 62-54
By Bayard Miller | Assistant Sports Editor
January 23, 2017
At the beginning of the season, pundits and coaches picked the Pitt women’s basketball team to be one of the worst in the ACC. But after Sunday afternoon’s back-and-forth 62-54 win over Virginia at the Petersen Events Center, the team has continued to exceed expectations and is now 3-3 in confer...
Panthers pound Tar Heels at the Pete, 68-48
By Mackenzie Rodrigues | Staff Writer
January 15, 2017
The Pitt women’s basketball team has owned its series with the conference rival North Carolina Tar Heels since moving to the ACC. Sunday afternoon was no different. Following a pair of road losses against top-ten opponents, the Panthers (11-7 overall, 2-3 ACC) returned home and dominated the Tar H...
Pitt women’s basketball drubbed by No. 6 Notre Dame, 86-54
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
January 13, 2017
For the second game in a row, the Pitt women’s basketball team faced the unenviable task of trying to knock off a top-10 team on the road. Against the No. 8 Louisville Cardinals on Sunday, the Panthers played a mostly competitive game that eventually turned into a 73-52 loss. Facing a tough opponent...
Pitt crushed by No. 8 Louisville, 73-52
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
January 9, 2017
Graduate transfer center Brandi Harvey-Carr continues to excel with the Pitt women’s basketball team, but it wasn’t enough to avoid a lopsided defeat Sunday against the No. 8 Louisville Cardinals. Despite a career-high 25 points from the 6-foot-4 Harvey-Carr, the Panthers (10-6 overall, 1-2 ACC) su...
Panthers pound Eagles for first ACC win, 56-43
By Mackenzie Rodrigues | Staff Writer
January 6, 2017
The Pitt women’s basketball team has turned to Brenna Wise and Brandi Harvey-Carr for the majority of its offense this season, but a new face emerged Thursday night as the Panthers’ go-to offensive threat — reserve forward Kalista Walters. Wise, a sophomore forward, leads the team with 14.1 points per g...
No. 11 Miami throttles Pitt women’s basketball, 82-50
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
January 2, 2017
The Pitt women’s basketball team’s ACC opener against the Miami Hurricanes went a lot like the teams’ last meeting at last year’s ACC tournament — a dominant victory for Miami. The No. 11 Hurricanes (12-2 overall, 1-1 ACC) defeated the Panthers (9-5 overall, 0-1 ACC), 82-50, on Monday ni...
Pitt women’s basketball drops City Game to Duquesne, 63-54
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
December 30, 2016
After a promising start to the season, the Pitt women’s basketball team wrapped up its nonconference schedule in disappointing fashion in the City Game Thursday night. The Panthers (9-4) suffered a 63-54 loss to the cross-town rival Duquesne Dukes (7-7) at the A.J. Palumbo Center, giving Duquesne...
Wise tallies 25 to carry Panthers past McNeese State, 71-65
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
December 20, 2016
The McNeese State Cowgirls gave the Pitt women’s basketball team a stiff test Tuesday night, but the Panthers’ frontcourt duo of Brenna Wise and Brandi Harvey-Carr proved too much for the Cowgirls to handle. Wise, a sophomore forward, followed up her 18-point, 10-rebound effort in Pitt’s 71-46...
Pitt women’s basketball team rolls to 71-46 win over UTEP
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
December 19, 2016
The Pitt women’s basketball team recovered from its most lopsided loss of the season with a resounding 25-point win in game one of the Patrick Harrington Tournament in Niceville, Florida. With eight days of rest following a 91-62 defeat against Penn State Dec. 10, Pitt (8-3) made the trip to Florida...
Pitt women’s basketball trounced by Penn State, 91-62
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
December 10, 2016
After suffering a 29-point thumping Saturday afternoon against her alma mater, Pitt women’s basketball head coach Suzie McConnell-Serio had one question. “Who thought igniting this rivalry was a good idea?” McConnell-Serio said after the Panthers’ blowout defeat against the Penn State Nitta...
Pitt women’s basketball team batters Bryant, 76-60
By Ryan Zimba | Staff Writer
December 7, 2016
The Pitt women’s basketball team won a decisive 76-60 contest against the Bryant Bulldogs on Tuesday night, scoring a staggering 28 points off turnovers in the game. The Panthers (7-2) defense proved to be too much for the Bulldogs (4-4) as Bryant turned the ball over 25 times during the non-conferenc...
Pitt women’s basketball suffers first loss of season vs. Purdue, 67-61
By Mackenzie Rodrigues | Staff Writer
December 1, 2016
The Pitt women’s basketball team could do nothing to stop Purdue point guard Ashley Morrissette Wednesday night, and it resulted in their first loss of the season. “It wasn’t our best game. We struggled offensively the whole night,” Pitt head coach Suzie McConnell-Serio said. “Give Purdue c...
Pitt women’s basketball conquers Cornell, 56-44
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
November 27, 2016
The Pitt women’s basketball team is off to a 6-0 start for the fourth time in school history after another double-digit win on Saturday. Playing with an eight-woman rotation due to a rash of injuries, the Panthers (6-0) managed to defeat the Cornell Big Red (4-2) at the Petersen Events Center Satu...
Pitt women’s basketball romps to 94-48 win vs. Slippery Rock
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
November 23, 2016
The Pitt women’s basketball team is dealing with injuries to top playmakers Yacine Diop and Alayna Gribble, but that hasn’t stopped the Panthers from rolling to a 5-0 start. Pitt (5-0) rumbled to a 94-48 victory against Slippery Rock University (3-2) at the Petersen Events Center on Wednesday after...
Pitt women’s basketball mauls Loyola Maryland, 74-44
By Mackenzie Rodrigues | Staff Writer
November 22, 2016
The Pitt women’s basketball team put together its most complete performance of the season Monday night as all five starters reached double digits in points. Pitt, 4-0, cruised to a 74-44 victory over the Loyola Maryland Greyhounds, 2-3, Monday at the Petersen Events Center, led by standout performance...
Pitt women’s basketball pummels Youngstown State, 63-50
By Mackenzie Rodrigues | Staff Writer
November 15, 2016
After the two youngest players on the Pitt women’s basketball team led the way in the regular season opener, a familiar name emerged at the top of the stat sheet in game two: Brenna Wise. A team-record 9,771 fans spilled out of school buses and into the Petersen Events Center at 11 a.m. Monday ...
Pitt women’s basketball cruises to 89-54 season-opening win
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
November 12, 2016
Many fans and analysts wondered how the Pitt women’s basketball team would deal with the offseason transfers of forward Stasha Carey and guard Fred Potvin. If the Panthers’ regular season opener Saturday vs. Mount St. Mary’s is any indication, recruiting first-year guards Jasmine Whitney and Al...
Pitt men’s and women’s basketball teams sign 2017 recruits
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
November 10, 2016
Even though the 2016-2017 basketball seasons are just days away, both Pitt men’s basketball head coach Kevin Stallings and women’s basketball head coach Suzie McConnell-Serio solidified their rosters for next year on Thursday. Stallings officially inked four players to the Panthers’ 2017 recruiting class...
Winning Ways: Whitney brings championship pedigree to Panthers
By Mackenzie Rodrigues | For The Pitt News
October 31, 2016
At Pitt’s first open practice of the year, first-year point guard Jasmine Whitney controls the Petersen Events Center court with a quiet calmness. She doesn’t frantically shout out a play — rather, she stands at the top of the key and directs her teammates to open spots on the court. She hold...
Pitt Women’s Basketball Season Preview: A Transition Year
By Dan Sostek | Senior Staff Writer
October 31, 2016
It seems like the same refrain year after year, but it holds true again this season — Pitt women’s basketball head coach Suzie McConnell-Serio is once again fielding a young team. Out of 12 players on the Panthers’ roster, eight are first- and second-year players, and only two are seniors. Bu...
Pitt women’s basketball releases 2016 ACC schedule
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
September 15, 2016
Pitt women’s basketball head coach Suzie McConnell-Serio unveiled the team’s full 2016-2017 schedule Thursday, with nine consecutive home games scheduled at the Petersen Events Center to start the season. The Panthers’ season starts Nov. 12, with a home game against Mount St. Mary’s, and featu...
Women’s Basketball: Recruit ineligible for upcoming season, won’t attend Pitt
By Jasper Wilson / Sports Editor
July 11, 2014
Naje Gibson, a talented women’s basketball recruit, will not attend Pitt this year as she is academically ineligible, according to reports by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.Karen Price of the Tribune-Review reported last night that Gibson, a 6-foot forward, will attend Florida Stat...