STORRS, Conn. – Pittsburgh’s women’s basketball could not matchup with the 11^th-ranked Connecticut Huskies as it fell 97-49 on Tuesday night at Gampel Pavilion. The Panthers fell to 12-13 overall and 4-10 in the Big East, while the Huskies improved to 19-6 and 12-2 in the conference.

The Panthers hung with Connecticut for the initial seven minutes, trailing 18-14 with 12:51 remaining after Vika Sholokhova drained a 3-pointer. However, the Huskies pressed Pittsburgh and raced out to a 31-5 run, taking a 49-19 lead late in the first half.

Connecticut forced 18 first-half turnovers by the Panthers and led 58-26 at the break.

Pittsburgh controlled the ball much better in the second half, turning the ball over just four times, but it shot just 21 percent (7 of 33) from the field in the final 20 minutes. The Panthers never got challenged the Huskies in the second frame and lost their 18^th straight game in the series history.

Pittsburgh shot 30 percent (18 of 61) from the field in the game, but hit just 4-of-17 3-pointers (24 percent). Connecticut finished 46 percent (35 of 76) from the field.

Marcedes Walker nearly had her 10^th double-double of the season, posting 17 points and nine rebounds to lead Pittsburgh. Jennifer Brown added 10 points and five boards.

Ashley Battle had a game-high 23 points for the Huskies.

Pittsburgh is back in action on Friday as it hosts No. 9 Rutgers. Tip-off at the Petersen Events Center is set for 7 p.m. The Panthers’ three seniors – Jessica Allen, Amy Kunich and Allisha Morris – will be honored before the game for Senior Night.

NOTES: Pittsburgh had eight blocks while Connecticut finished with 13. Walker had a career-high four blocks for the Panthers…the Huskies tallied 34 points off of turnovers while Pittsburgh managed just two…Allen had eight points off the bench for the Panthers.