March 16, 2010 

WNIT Bracket

PITTSBURGH -- The University of Pittsburgh women's basketball team will return to postseason play for the fifth straight season and eighth time in program history, accepting a bid to the National Women's Invitational Tournament tonight, announced seventh-year head coach Agnus Berenato.

"We're just really excited were in a tournament, said Berenato. "It's our fifth straight postseason appearance and a new challenge for us, another opportunity to compete and play in the WNIT. We're really excited for the opportunity."

The Panthers and Rockets will meet Friday, March 19 in Toledo with tipoff to be announced March 16. Toledo posted a 24-8 overall mark, including a 12-1 record at home this season. UT received an automatic bid to the WNIT after capturing the Mid-American Conference West division championship.

"I know Toledo is a really good team from the MAC," said Berenato. It's always great to play teams from other conferences and I'm looking forward to going to Toledo this week. They're well coached, a very good point guard and some girls that can score, so it will be a challenge, but we are excited to have the opportunity to play."

Pitt will play in the WNIT for the first time since the 2005-06 season and the fifth time overall. The Panthers are coming off three straight NCAA Tournament appearances and back-to-back Sweet 16 showings. Pitt posted a 3-1 mark at the WNIT last time out, knocking off Delaware (64-57), Mississippi (85-76) and Virginia (68-58) before falling to Big East rival Marquette (77-64) in the semifinals.

The Panthers finished the regular season with a 16-13 overall record and a 5-11 mark in Big East Conference play. Pitt, ranked as high as No. 15 midseason, rounded out regular-season play winning four of its last six games. Prior to their hot finish, the Panthers battled Syracuse, forcing overtime before falling 87-80. Following an 86-76 loss at No. 3/3 Notre Dame, Pitt returned home and again fought hard against a stout Georgetown team. The No. 16/13 Hoyas narrowly escaped Pittsburgh with a 66-63 win.