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As I wrote earlier this week, it wasn’t only the men’s basketball team that has had problems this year. The Pitt women have struggled almost as much, and on Wednesday, bowed out of the ACC Tournament in the first round with a 72-38 loss to Wake Forest.
It was the type of performance we’ve seen from the men’s team and, even the formula was somewhat similar.
Pitt started out somewhat competitive. While not ideal, the team trailed by only ten points at halftime and was still in it. But in the second half, the train came off the track. Pitt was pounded in the third quarter, scoring only five points while giving up 25 to Wake as the Demon Deacons pulled away.
As was the case most of this year, the team was led by Yacine Diop, who scored 18 points, shooting 40% from the field. But aside from the 11 points scored by Alayna Gribble, she had little help. Pitt got a total of nine points from three other players while the rest of the team went scoreless. Pitt shot under 28% from the field for the game, which explains a lot.
As I mentioned in that earlier linked article, I think Suzie McConnell-Serio should probably get at least one more season here. She’s really had only one good year out of five but has had a lot of adversity with two of her best players missing the entire season over the past two years with a third transferring. But while the seat is abundantly hot for the men’s coach, Kevin Stallings, you have to imagine hers isn’t too comfortable now, either. At some point, injuries or not, the team has to produce.
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