March 8, 2008

Box Score

HARTFORD, Conn. - The fifth-seeded Pitt women's basketball team advanced to the second round of the Big East Tournament with a 69-63 win over No. 12 seed Villanova Saturday afternoon at the XL Center. The Panthers will meet up with No. 4 seed Notre Dame Sunday at noon in the second round.

The Panthers were led by senior Marcedes Walker (Philadelphia, Pa./University City), who scored a team-high 20 points on 10 of 15 shooting from the field. Walker added seven rebounds and three assists.

Pitt turned the ball over a season-low five times in the win and had 17 assists on the day. Villanova shot 53.3 percent from the field (24 of 45) in the loss while Pitt was 28 of 59 for a 47.5 shooting percentage.

Xenia Stewart (Bowie, Md./Riverdale Baptist) scored a season-high 18 points and dished out four assists as she moved to the four position to help out Walker, who was consistently double-teamed.

The story of the game, however, is Villanova being held to just 2 of 11 from three point range. The Wildcats are averaging 10.3 three-pointers per game and 27 attempts.

Pitt led by 15 points at the half, 37-22, and led by as many as 19 early in the second half. Villanova charged back and threatened down the stretch, however, pulling to within four with 1:53 remaining.

The Panthers hit a few key free throws in the final minutes to seal the six-point victory.

Pitt's game against Notre Dame will be televised live on ESPNU with John Rooke and Leslie Hill on the call. Action from all Pitt tournament games can be heard live locally on FOX Sports Radio 970 AM with Greg Linnelli and Mike Clark with the call. On the web, all games can be heard live as a part of Panthers All-Access on www.pittsburghpanthers.com.