Nov. 21, 2006

Box Score

ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. - The Pitt women's basketball team (4-0) continued its win streak here Tuesday night as the Panthers defeated St. Bonaventure (2-3) 75-62 behind sophomore Shavonte Zellous' 27-point, nine-rebound performance.

"I am so pleased with Shavonte," head coach Agnus Berenato said. "She was really focused for the entire game and played outstanding defense. But this was truly a team win. We had people come off the bench and play a key role in this victory."

Zellous (Orlando, Fla./Jones) was 9 of 14 from the field and 9 of 10 from the free throw line. Also scoring in double figures were junior Marcedes Walker (Philadelphia, Pa./University City), who added 15 points and nine rebounds and Xenia Stewart (Bowie, Md./Riverdale Baptist), who contributed 10 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals on the night.

Pitt shot 26 of 57 for a 45.6 field goal percentage and had 11 steals to five for the Bonnies. Down the stretch, Pitt was up by as many as 16 (45-29), and saw St. Bonaventure come to within seven at 69-62 with 1:21 remaining. But the Panthers pulled away and came up with the 13-point victory.

In the first half, despite St. Bonaventure taking the early 4-1 lead, the Panthers responded with a 10-0 run, holding the Bonnies without a field goal for nearly five minutes and taking the 11-4 lead.

The run was spurred by Zellous, who scored 10 straight in the first half and went into the lockerroom shooting 7 of 10 from the field, adding 16 points. Walker played just eight minutes in the first half with two fouls but contributed four rebounds, three points and two blocks.

The Panthers continue their road trip as they travel to Eugene, Ore., for the Oregon Thanksgiving Tournament Nov. 24 and 25. Pitt will take on Utah Saturday at 8 p.m. EST and will face either Boise State or Oregon on Sunday.