Aug. 10, 2008

PALESTRINA, Italy — Pitt women’s basketball’s voyage to Italy began as a success as the Panthers defeated Italy’s Palestrina team, 87-46, Sunday night in the town approximately an hour outside of Rome.

Shavonte Zellous (Orlando, Fla./Jones) led all scorers with 28 points, while Xenia Stewart (Bowie, Md./Riverdale Baptist) was close behind with 23 points. Stewart was an impressive 10 of 19 from the field for a 52.6 shooting percentage.

Pitt shot 36 of 97 from the field for a 37.1 shooting percentage. Pitt held Palestrina to just 16 of 54 from the field (29.6 percent) and the Panthers outrebounded the Italian team an impressive 65 to just 19.

Although Pitt held the lead throughout, Palestrina held Pitt to just an 11-7 advantage at the 5:19 mark in the first quarter. The Panthers went on a 23-0 run and took a dominating 49-17 halftime lead.

Pitt will play again Wednesday night against the Greek Senior Selection Team in Athens. The Panthers and the Greek team will play twice during the Panthers’ tour.