Pittsburgh’s achievements this season easily trump the unfavorable task of hosting perennial favorite Tennessee in the second round of the NCAA women’s basketball tournament.
The Panthers – 6-20 three seasons ago – already set a school record for wins before defeating James Madison, 71-61, on Sunday for their first ever NCAA tourney win.
“I saw that the team had a lot of potential on my [recruiting] visit, and I wanted to come to Pittsburgh to create and build a program,” said sophomore guard Xenia Stewart (Riverdale Baptist). Pitt is 46-19 since her arrival.
Stewart is one of three Washington-area natives for fourth-year head coach Agnus Berenato and her three current freshmen are coming off state titles won as high school seniors, including Selena Nwude (Eleanor Roosevelt) and Ashleigh Braxton (Forest Park). Nwude suffered a season-ending knee injury in Pitt’s final regular-season contest, but Braxton has hit 10 of 24 three-pointers this season in the Panthers’ last five games.
“We all know how to play in big games, close games, games in crazy atmospheres,” said Braxton. “We all played important games on college courts.”
No. 8 Pittsburgh (24-8) vs. No. 1 Tennessee (29-3)
NCAA women’s tournament
Dayton region, second round
» When: Today, 7
» Where: Petersen Events Center, Pittsburgh
» TV: ESPN2
