PITTSBURGH, Pa. — Georgia Tech cut it to a one possession game and Francesca Pan attempted a three-pointer to tie the game with 15 seconds left, but it hit the back iron as Pitt held on for the 68-62 win Sunday afternoon. Despite Tech outscoring Pitt 28-17 in the fourth quarter, Pitt was able to capitalize on a strong second stanza to pick up the win. With the loss, Tech dropped to 12-7 overall and 1-5 in league play.
How It Happened
Coming out of the first media break of the game, Kierra Fletcher was the fifth Jacket to score, hitting a jumper to put the Jackets in front, 12-7, with 3:41 to play in the opening frame. Pitt would answer every Tech score thereafter as the Jackets led 18-14 entering the second quarter. A trio of triples from the Panthers to open the second stanza gave the Panthers their first lead of the game as Pitt held the Jackets scoreless in the frame until the 1:25 mark when Chanin Scott completed the old-fashioned three-point play. Scott scored a quick six unanswered points over 30 seconds, but Pitt outscored Tech 20-6 in the second quarter to hold a 34-24 halftime lead.
Scott and Fletcher posted a quick four unanswered points right out of halftime, forcing Pitt to burn its first timeout, but the Panthers responded with a 17-6 run over the remainder of the quarter to lead 51-34 entering the final period. Tech came alive in the fourth quarter and outscored Pitt 26-13 to slice the score to 64-60 with 1:00 left. Elo Edeferioka hit a pair of free throws with 40.7 on the clock to bring Tech with 65-62 before the Panthers missed a pair of free throws to return possession to the Jackets. With 15 seconds to play, Pan attempted to knot the score with a three-pointer from the far corner, but it was off the mark as Pitt closed the game hitting three free throws for the final 68-62 score.
Tech Tidbits
* Tech shot 32.8 percent (22-67) from the field, but shot 61.5 percent through nine minutes in the fourth quarter to slice away at its deficit
* Tech outscored Pitt 28-17 in the fourth quarter
* Pitt outscored Tech 20-6 in the second quarter
* After committing 13 turnovers in the first half, the Jackets turned the ball over just four times in the second half
* Pitt recorded 20 turnovers the Jackets converted into 23 points
* Chanin Scott led Tech with 14 points followed by Francesca Pan with 11 points
* The Jackets dominated on the glass, 46-30, led by Kierra Fletcher with nine boards
* Both teams attempted 20-plus free throws with Tech finishing 16-for-25 at the line and Pitt going 16-for-22
* Alayna Gribble led the Panthers with 29 points, hitting a
Next Up
Tech returns to the court on Sunday, Jan. 21 to host Wake Forest in McCamish Pavilion. Tip is slated for 2 p.m. on ACC Network Extra.
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