PITTSBURGH — Pitt has struggled mightily in ACC play from the tip of final season and persevering with on into this season. They lastly put collectively 4 stable quarters to defeat Virginia at house on the Petersen Occasions Heart Sunday afternoon, to win their first ACC recreation of the season.

The Panthers (8-15 general, 1-11 ACC) finish a 21 recreation convention shedding streak that began on Jan. 30, 2022 and win their first ACC recreation since Clemson on the street on Jan. 27, 2022, making it the primary convention win in 374 days. Additionally it is the primary ACC house win since Wake Forest on Jan. 16, 2022, ending a ten recreation convention shedding streak and a ten recreation shedding streak general.

That is additionally the primary win for the Panthers over the Cavaliers (14-10 general, 3-10 ACC) since January 2017, ending a 4 recreation shedding streak.

Panthers head coach Lance White spoke on how nice the ACC convention is and that he provides his crew nice credit score for his or her improvement over the season that lastly resulted within the win in opposition to the Cavaliers. He additionally spoke on his crew’s nice defensive efficiency, particularly with the execution of the zone that stops opponents from penetrating the center.

“Actually, actually enthusiastic about popping out and getting a win,” White mentioned. “Once more, the grind our gamers and employees have been on to battle within the ACC and be shut and to recover from the hump was actually rewarding. Give a lot credit score to our crew, our children of simply the resiliency, that they simply present as much as work and simply actually put themselves in place to have the reward.”

Pitt fell behind within the first six minutes of the primary quarter, as Virginia earned a 9-5 benefit. Pitt completed the primary quarter sturdy, with an 11-3 run to take a 16-12 lead on the finish of the interval.

Neither crew shot a excessive share within the second quarter, with the Panthers capturing 28.6% and the Cavaliers capturing 18.8% from the ground. The Panthers made all 4 of their discipline objectives within the quarter from 3-point vary, with graduate guard Channise Lewis making two photographs from behind the arc, giving themselves a 29-22 lead at halftime.

Pitt made it their fifth ACC recreation that they took the lead at halftime, however in all the opposite video games, they struggled mightily within the third quarter. This led to Pitt shedding that benefit and shortly after, the sport.

Virginia began the third quarter on a 9-2 run to tie the sport at 31-31, making it seem that this development would preserve going for Pitt this season.

Senior guard Dayshanette Harris took management of the sport and placed on probably the greatest quarter performances of any Pitt participant this season. Harris scored 12 of the following 16 factors for Pitt within the third quarter, capturing 5-for-6 from the ground. This included a 3-pointer and an unbelievable transformed and-one alternative on a driving layup.

10 straight factors from @_dharris1 ‼️ pic.twitter.com/COZNNi29IW

— Pitt Basketball (@Pitt_WBB) February 5, 2023

Harris’ nice play helped Pitt full a 16-5 run to finish the fourth quarter up 47-36 and completed with a crew excessive 14 factors within the win. Harris complimented her teammates after the sport for his or her nice play within the third quarter that prolonged their lead. Pitt outscored No. 16 Duke within the third quarter final day out and Harris hopes that this continues a great development.

“I believe we realized that’s what we lack,” Harris mentioned. “We’ve been making an attempt to provide you with methods to come back out stronger and as you possibly can see, these final two video games we’ve accomplished that efficiently with our new lineups and our new rotations. I believe that’s been a fantastic assist.”

The Cavaliers began off the fourth quarter with a press that pressured turnovers from the Panthers initially, and in addition helped them begin a 7-1 run to chop the deficit to 5 factors.

The Panthers would ultimately cope with that press, performed stable protection and made sufficient baskets down the stretch to earn their first ACC victory on the season.

Pitt used a poor offensive outing from Virginia to propel them to victory. Virginia shot 17-for-63 , 27% from the sphere, each are the fourth worst by a Pitt opponent this season. Virginia additionally solely made six of their 30 makes an attempt from 3-point vary, 20%, which is the third worst 3-point share by a Pitt opponent, tied with George Mason on Nov. 12.

The Cavaliers did handle to seize 23 offensive rebounds, probably the most by a Panthers opponent since DePaul on Nov. 26. Whereas that often propels a crew to victory, the Cavaliers solely scored 17 second probability factors, lacking essential photographs that led to their demise.

Junior ahead Liatu King scored 10 factors, grabbed a team-high 9 rebounds and made a team-high 4 blocks within the win over the Cavaliers. She spoke on the significance of getting a win within the sixteenth annual Pink the Pete recreation, which honors these which are preventing and those who have survived breast most cancers.

“Tonight is a particular night time for these which are battling day-after-day,” King mentioned. “Coach White had got here in throughout movie and he was telling us of this one girl who had therapy for 23 years and that basically touched me. She was actually in my thoughts whereas I used to be taking part in. While you’re a daily particular person, you don’t take into consideration going to therapy, chemo, how tiring that’s, radiation, having to chop your hair off. This recreation was undoubtedly greater than anyone on the court docket. I really feel like we did these survivors a service by getting them a win. It was undoubtedly to a honor to play.”

Pitt faces a fantastic opponent in rival No. 9 Notre Dame on the street this Thursday, Feb. 9, as they give the impression of being to drag off the inconceivable upset.