Dec. 20, 2006

Box Score

CANCUN, Mexico - The No. 22-ranked Pitt women's basketball team (12-0) fought back from an eight-point second half deficit to claim a 54-47 win over the Liberty Flames in the Panthers' second game of the Caribbean Classic.

"In the first half, I thought we were out-played, out-disciplined and had no heart," Pitt head coach Agnus Berenato said. "We didn't need to change the game plan, we just needed to step it up and I think we really responded. When Shavonte (Zellous) got going, she was outstanding. Karlyle Lim came into the game and on defense, really made some things happen for us."

Sophomore Shavonte Zellous (Orlando, Fla./Jones) scored a game-high 23 points in the win, including 17 in the second half. Zellous also led the team with seven rebounds and had four assists. Also scoring in double figures was junior Marcedes Walker (Philadelphia, Pa./University City) with 13 points and five rebounds.

Liberty got off to a quick 5-0 start in the game, but the Panthers responded with a 12-0 run, holding the Flames from scoring a field goal for over seven minutes. At 5:48, Pitt held its largest lead of the half at 21-13, but a 12-3 Liberty run gave the Flames their first lead since a 5-2 advantage early in the half. Liberty took a slight 26-24 lead into the lockerroom.

In the second half, Pitt found itself down eight points at 40-32 with 10:24 remaining in the game. The Panthers went on a 10-0 run to take the 42-40 lead and would not give it up down the stretch. Zellous was key in that run scoring 11 of Pitt's 14 points at one point.

Both teams struggled offensively shooting under 40 percent with Pitt hitting 21 of 56 for 37.5 percent accuracy from the field and Liberty shooting 38.6 percent. Pitt had 11 turnovers in the game, including just three in the second half while the Flames turned the ball over 18 times.

For Liberty, Megan Frazee was the lone player in double figure scoring with 16 points on 6 of 10 from the field and 4 of 6 from the free throw line.

Pitt has completed its games in the Caribbean Classic, but will remain in Cancun for a neutral-site game against the No. 4-ranked Duke Blue Devils Thursday at 1 p.m. EST. Fans can listen to the game live on www.PittsburghPanthers.com All Access or at 9 p.m. on Fox Sports Radio 970 AM with Greg Linnelli and Mike Clark calling the action.