#25 Pitt Owns Slim Halftime Lead On Orange, 42-39
1/24/2009 1:53:06 PM | Women's Basketball
SYRACUSE, NY -- #25 Pittsburgh used balanced scoring to build a slim, 42-39 halftime lead in Saturday's BIG EAST Conference encounter with Syracuse at the Carrier Dome. All seven Panthers who saw court time scored in the opening 20 minutes while Syracuse relied on Chandrea Jones (16 points) and Nicole Michael (13 points) to stay within reach.
Michael and Juanita Ward led the Orange with five rebounds each at the intermission. Pitt's Chelsea Cole had seven boards to lead all performers.
Shayla Scott opened the game's scoring with a three pointer and the Panthers methodically built the margin to a high of 10, 26-16, with 9:01 left in the opening period. Trailing by eight, 31-23, Syracuse embarked on a 11-2 run to grabe the advantage, 34-33, at the 3:16 mark. Jones had four points in the run.
Pittsburgh used a 9-5 stretch to close out the half.
Syracuse benefitted from stellar shooting from the free-throw line, converting 14-of-16 (.875). The SU cause was hampered by 13 turnovers.
Pittsburgh made 16-of-34 from the field (.471) and held a slim, 22-20, rebound advantage after 20 minutes.
