After trailing by just three points, 30-27, with 5:07 in the first half, Pittsburgh could not handle the Connecticut pressure as it allowed the Huskies to score the next 17 points, including 10 on fast-break layups, to give them a 47-27 advantage. Two free throws by the Panthers’ Katie Histed (Waverly, N.Y./Waverly) with 15 seconds remaining in the half ended the run, but they still found themselves trailing 47-29 at intermission.

In the first half, Pittsburgh shot 42 percent (10 of 24) from the field compared to Connecticut’s 61 percent (19 of 31). The Panthers’ committed 13 turnovers in the initial 20 minutes as the Huskies outscored Pittsburgh 19-4 on fast break points.

In the second half, Connecticut continued to build its lead and cruised to the victory. Pittsburgh trailed by as many as 40 points on two occasions as they dropped to 1-4 at the Petersen Events Center this year.

Pittsburgh shot 39 percent (20 of 51) from the field for the game and 73 percent (8 of 11) from the free-throw line. The Huskies hit 58 percent (37 of 64) of its field goals and 73 percent (11 of 15) of its free throws.

Histed led the Panthers with 17 points and four steals. Senior Allisha Morris (Hampton, Va./Hampton) pitched in 14 points, including three 3-pointers.

Jessica Moore led four Connecticut players in double figures, finishing with a game-high 19 points.

Pittsburgh is back in action on Saturday as it travels to No. 13/14 Boston College. Tip off at Conte Forum is slated for 1 p.m. as the Panthers attempt to snap a 12-game losing streak to the Eagles.

NOTES: Pittsburgh is 0-2 against ranked opponents this year, falling to No. 4/7 Rutgers on Jan. 11...the Panthers were outrebounded 35-25...Pittsburgh lost its 18th straight game to Connecticut. The Panthers’ last victory over the Huskies was a 76-74 victory on Feb. 24, 1993...Connecticut outscored Pittsburgh, 60-16, in the paint.

Pittsburgh-Connecticut Quotes

January 26, 2005

PITTSBURGH

Coach Agnus Berenato:

“Tonight, we had about 16 minutes of competitive play which I think is great. Last year, we had about two minutes of competitive play when we went out there, so this year is a great improvement.”

“I went over to their coach at the beginning of the game and I told him that I think they can win the national championship, he told me to come back at the end of the game. So I did. I think they really look good out there. UConn has an air about them when they are out there. They play strong and confident. They have the skills and size and the talent.”

“Women’s basketball has come to a whole new level. We don’t have any teams that are undefeated anymore, those days are over. UConn is still amazing, they are 10th in the country with 14 All-Americans. He says he is feeling like me, knowing what it is like, because suddenly he has four losses.”

Guard Katie Histed:

On the starting line-up:

“I like to start the game on the bench, to see how the game is going to be carried out, to pick up on the flow of the game, and then get out there. Coach just keeps telling us at practice that the harder we work, the more time and more chances to start we will see. And she sticks to her word. So I don’t think we will have a permanent line-up, its constantly going to be changing.”

CONNECTICUT

Coach Geno Auriemma:

“I think it’s nice of Agnus to think that we are Championship material, but I think she is just being nice. I think we can do it but who knows, because it’s not even February yet. I bet there are 200 other teams that think that they can win it too. Until they come out to our house towards the end of the season and if Agnus still thinks that, then I might have to agree with her.”

On the five-game winning streak:

“I think we have gained some confidence, I think we have matured a little bit. I am a very tough critic of my own team and look at them differently but if I were to look at it objectively, I would say we are just playing with a little more confidence, a little more cohesiveness that comes from everyone understanding what we need to do. I’m still not convinced our guards are aware of where they need to be, and that has to happen. But given where we were a month ago, I think we have made a tremendous progress. Our practice has gotten a little better.”