Nov. 14, 2008

PITTSBURGH -

The 23rd-ranked Pitt women’s basketball team begins the season at the prestigious State Farm Tip-Off Classic Sunday, Nov. 16 against No. 10 Texas A&M. The game is set for 5 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and will also be carried on ESPN360.

The game marks Pitt’s first-ever meeting with the Aggies and is the first time the Panthers have had a regular-season game broadcast on ESPN2. The Classic will be held in Baton Rouge, La., and will be the second game of a double-header involving No. 14 Notre Dame and No. 22 LSU.

Pitt is 25-9 in season-openers and is 9-4 when opening on the road. Pitt defeated OGBR Legends, 73-58, and Premier Players, 76-65, in its two preseason exhibition games at the Petersen Events Center.

Texas A&M will have a warm up prior to the State Farm Tip-Off Classic as it takes on Mercer Friday night at 9 p.m. ET at Reed Arena in College Station.

Pitt is coming off a 24-11 season in which it advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time in school history. The Panthers have four returning starters including All-America candidate Shavonte Zellous (Orlando, Fla./Jones), who has served as Pitt’s leading scorer the past two seasons.

In addition to ESPN2 televised coverage, the game can be heard live over www.pittsburghpanthers.com as a part of All Access or on taped delay at approximately 9 p.m. locally on FOX Sports Radio 970 AM with Greg Linnelli and Jen Tuscano calling the action.