ATLANTA (Dec. 30) – Pittsburgh’s Mandy Wittenmyer scored a game-high 17 points to capture tournament MVP honors to lead the Panthers (8-3) to a 75-69 victory Thursday over Georgia Tech (8-3) in the finals of the 1999 Georgia Tech/Atlanta Marriott Northwest Holiday Invitational at O’Keefe Gymnasium.
The Panthers overcame a nine-point second half deficit and were a perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line in the final 2:04 to claim the victory.
Tech, which trailed by eight with 2:04 remaining, cut the Pittsburgh advantage to two points twice in the final 30 seconds. Wittenmyer made a crucial defensive rebound with seven seconds to go and hit two free throws with two seconds left to seal the victory. She contributed 14 points and five rebounds in the second half to lift the Panthers.
The Yellow Jackets placed five scorers in double figures and were led by 12 points each from senior Danielle Donehew and freshmen Nina Barlin and Amy Lingenfelder. Junior Jamie Kruppa scored 11 points and led all competitors with 15 rebounds in the contest. Center Nickeia Morris contributed 16 points, six rebounds and four blocks, while guard Monique Toney added 13 points and six assists for the Panthers.
Kruppa and Barlin were voted all-tournament selections, while Toney joined Wittenmyer from the Panthers. Sara Moore of Campbell and Shelsea Erving of Western Michigan also netted all-tournament honors. In the consolation game, Western Michigan (3-7) turned back the Camels (6-4), 84-68, as Erving fired in 30 and center Kristin Koetsier scored 31 points to pace the Broncos. Moore led Campbell with 19 points on the day.
Tech returns to action Monday when it travels to Charlottesville, Va., to face ACC foe Virginia in a 7:30 p.m. contest.
Saturday’s Results
Championship: Pittsburgh 75, Georgia Tech 69
Consolation: Western Michigan 84, Campbell 68
All-Tournament Team: Sara Moore, Campbell; Shelsea Erving, Western Michigan; Nina Barlin, Georgia Tech; Jamie Kruppa, Georgia Tech; Monique Toney, Pittsburgh; Mandy Wittenmyer, Pittsburgh.
MVP: Mandy Wittenmyer, Pittsburgh
