Pittsburgh Panthers women's basketball

This article is about Pitt women's basketball. For Pitt men's basketball, see Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball.
Pittsburgh Panthers
2024–25 Pittsburgh Panthers women's basketball team
UniversityUniversity of Pittsburgh
Head coachTory Verdi (2nd season)
ConferenceAtlantic Coast Conference
LocationPittsburgh, Pennsylvania
ArenaPetersen Events Center
(capacity: 12,508)
NicknamePanthers
Student sectionOakland Zoo
ColorsBlue and gold[1]
   
Uniforms
Home jersey
Team colours
Home
Away jersey
Team colours
Away
Alternate jersey
Team colours
Alternate
NCAA tournament Sweet Sixteen
2008, 2009
NCAA tournament appearances
2007, 2008, 2009, 2015
Conference regular season champions
1984

Pittsburgh Panthers women's basketball is the NCAA Division I intercollegiate women's basketball program of the University of Pittsburgh, often referred to as "Pitt", located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Pitt women's basketball team competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference and plays their home games in the Petersen Events Center. The university first sponsored women's basketball on the varsity level in 1914 and have appeared in five straight national post-season tournaments between 2006 and 2010.

History

The undefeated 1924–25 Pitt women's varsity basketball team went 10–0 with wins against Cincinnati, at NYU, and at Temple who had never before been defeated on their home floor.[2]
Former head coach of the Pitt women's basketball team, Agnus Berenato
Trophy case for Pitt women's basketball as seen in the lobby of the Petersen Events Center in 2008

Women's intercollegiate varsity basketball at the University of Pittsburgh began during the 1914–1915 [3] season and found early success until 1926–1927 after which it was disbanded in favor of intramural sports programs. Varsity basketball for women was reinstated during the 1970–1971 season. Although participants were awarded varsity letters and competed intercollegiately, the program wasn't taken over by the Athletic Department until the 1974–1975 season. During the 1970s, the team earned several EAIAW regional tournament appearances. Pitt began competing in the Big East Conference in 1982, and the Panthers won the Big East regular season championship in 1984. Pitt appeared in the National Women's Invitational Tournament in 1981 and 1994 as well as the Women's National Invitation Tournament in 2000 and 2006 before earning its first ever NCAA tournament appearance in 2007, where they advanced to the second round before losing to eventual national champion Tennessee. The Panthers then advanced to the Sweet Sixteen in 2008 and 2009,[4] and made their fifth straight post-season tournament appearance in the WNIT in 2010. On April 12, 2013, Pitt hired Suzie McConnell-Serio to replace Berenato as head coach.[5] Pitt moved to the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) beginning with the 2013–14 season.

Postseason

The home of Pitt women's basketball, the Petersen Events Center, in November 2019
Pitt hosting West Virginia in the Pink the Petersen edition of the Backyard Brawl on February 19, 2011

NCAA (4): 2007, 2008, 2009, 2015
Pitt reached the "Sweet Sixteen" in 2008 and 2009.

NWIT and WNIT (5): 1981, 1994, 2000, 2006, 2010
Pitt was the NWIT Consolation Winner in 1981 (5th Place), won the NWIT Third Place game in 1994, and reached the WNIT "Final Four" in 2006.

EAIAW regional championship tournaments (6): 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981

Honors

All Americans

  • Jennifer Bruce, 1984–85 WBCA All-District All-American
  • Lorri Johnson, 1990–91 WBCA All-District All-American
  • Jonna Huemrich, 1993–94 Honorable Mention All-American
  • Marcedes Walker, 2006–07 WBCA District I All-American
  • Marcedes Walker, 2007–08 WBCA District I All-American
  • Shavonte Zellous, 2008–09 AP Third Team All-American and WBCA Region I All-American

Academic All-Americans

Pam Miklasevich, 1981 College Sports Information Directors of America[6]

Conference honors

  • Jennifer Bruce won Big East Player of the Year in 1984
  • Judy Saurer won Big East Coach of the Year in 1984
  • Jonna Huemrich won Big East Rookie of the Year in 1991
  • Traci Waites won Big East Coach of the Year in 2000
  • Shavonte Zellous won Big East Most Improved Player in 2007
  • Liatu King won ACC Most Improved Player in 2024

Points club

22 total Panther players have achieved the 1,000 points club with three scoring over 2,000 points.

  • Lorri Johnson, 1987–91; 2,312 points, 20.5 PPG
  • Jennifer Bruce, 1981–85; 2,295 points, 20.5 PPG
  • Shavonte Zellous, 2005–09; 2,251 points, 16.9 PPG
  • Debbie Lewis, 1977–82; 1,941 points, 15.4 PPG
  • Brianna Kissel, 2011-2015; 1938 points, 15.9 PPG
  • Mercedes Walker, 2004–08; 1,870 points, 15.0 PPG
  • Jonna Huemrich, 1990–94; 1,807 points, 15.6 PPG
  • Pam Miklasevich, 1979–83; 1,637 points, 16.0 PPG
  • Wanda Randolph, 1976–79; 1,479 points, 19.0 PPG
  • Taneisha Harrison, 2007–2011; 1,372 points, 10.6 PPG
  • Laine Selwyn, 1999–2003; 1,344 points, 12.1 PPG
  • Xenia Stewart, 2005–2009; 1,330 points, 10.1 PPG
  • Latia Howard, 1994–97; 1,155 points, 13.1 PPG
  • Mandy Wittenmyer, 1999–2003; 1,152 points, 12.0 PPG
  • Brooke Stewart, 1999–2003; 1,114 points, 10.0 PPG
  • Connie Hurt, 1987–91; 1,103 points, 10.5 PPG
  • Jania Sims, 2006–2011; 1,097, 10.1 PPG
  • Yacine Diop, 2014–18; 1,093 points, 11.5 PPG
  • Dayshanette Harris, 2019-2023; 1085, 10.6 PPG
  • Jennifer Shingler, 1986–90; 1,081 points, 10.0 PPG
  • Liatu King, 2020-2024; 1073 points, 10.5 PPG (through 2/18/24)
  • Mallorie Winn*, 2002–2008; 1,028 points, 9.9 PPG

*Winn played at Georgia Tech from 2002 to 2004 prior to transferring to Pitt. She scored 812 of her 1,028 career points at Pitt.
PPG = points per game

Retired jerseys

  • Jennifer Bruce #12
  • Lorri Johnson #24

WNBA

The following former Pitt basketball players have or are currently playing in the WNBA.

Draft

The following players were selected in the WNBA draft.

Year by year results

Pitt's varsity women's basketball program, the only women's varsity sport at the school during that time, was started in the 1914–15 season and continued until 1926–1927 when it was dropped in favor of a program of intramural women's athletics that could provide more opportunities for the female students at the university. The varsity women's basketball program was revived for the 1970–71 season and moved under the auspices of the athletic department in 1974–75. Records prior to the 1974–75 are largely incomplete (see notes).[7][8]

Season Coach Overall Conference Standing Postseason Coaches' poll AP poll Notes
H. H. Provin (1914–1920)
1914–15 H. H. Provin ?-1 — — incomplete records, reported all wins but 1 loss[9]
1915–16 H. H. Provin 7–0 — — [10]
1916–17 H. H. Provin 6–0 — — [11]
1917–18 H. H. Provin 9–1 — — [12]
1918–19 H. H. Provin 8–0 — — not including win over Alumnae[13]
1919–20 H. H. Provin 8–0 — — one win by forfeit[14]
H. H. Provin: incomplete –
A. Lemon Arnold (1920–1921)
1920–21 A. Lemon Arnold 9–0 — — 3 game results unknown[15]
A. Lemon Arnold: incomplete –
Margaret A. McClenahan (1921–1927)
1921–22 Margaret A. McClenahan 6–1 — — incomplete records[16]
1922–23 Margaret A. McClenahan 6–3–1 — — one tie, not including win over Freshman[17]
1923–24 Margaret A. McClenahan 8–1 — — not including win over Alumnae;[18]
2 wins over Temple found only
in Temple's media guide[19]
1924–25 Margaret A. McClenahan 9–0 — — not including win over Alumnae[20]
1925–26 Margaret A. McClenahan 2-? — — 7-game season, incomplete records[19][21][22]
1926–27 Margaret A. McClenahan 4–2 — — not including win over Alumnae[23]
Margaret A. McClenahan: incomplete –

No Program (1927–1970)
Sandra Bullman (1970–1974)
1970–71 Sandra Bullman 9–2 — — individual game results unknown[24][25]
1971–72 Sandra Bullman 4–2 — — [26]
1972–73 Sandra Bullman ?-? — — unknown results[27]
1973–74 Sandra Bullman ?-? — — unknown results[28]
Sandra Bullman: incomplete –
Jean Condo (1974–1975)
1974–75 Jean Condo 10–6 — — [7]
Jean Condo: 10–6 –
Pat Wallace (1975–1977)
1975–76 Pat Wallace 16–8 — — EAIAW Regional (3–1, consolation champions) [7]
1976–77 Pat Wallace 19–8 — — EAIAW Regional (1–2) [7]
Pat Wallace: 35–16 –
Jean Balthaser (1977–1980)
1977–78 Jean Balthaser 14–14 — — EAIAW Regional (1–1) [7]
1978–79 Jean Balthaser 12–17 — — EAIAW Regional (0–1) [7]
1979–80 Jean Balthaser 21–11 — — EAIAW Regional (0–1) [7]
Jean Balthaser: 47–42 –
Judy Saurer (Big East Conference beginning in 1982–83) (1980–1985)
1980–81 Judy Saurer 22–7 — — NWIT Fifth Place
Regionals (0–1)		 [7]
1981–82 Judy Saurer 14–14 — — [7]
1982–83 Judy Saurer 17–11 5–3 3rd [7]
1983–84 Judy Saurer 16–12 6–2 T-1st [7]
1984–85 Judy Saurer 16–12 10–6 T-4th [7]
Judy Saurer: 85–56 21–11
Kirk Bruce (Big East Conference) (1985–1998)
1985–86 Kirk Bruce 11–16 5–11 6th [7]
1986–87 Kirk Bruce 7–21 1–15 9th [7]
1987–88 Kirk Bruce 14–15 5–11 7th [7]
1988–89 Kirk Bruce 11–17 3–13 9th [7]
1989–90 Kirk Bruce 15–14 6–10 6th [7]
1990–91 Kirk Bruce 16–13 10–6 T-3rd [7]
1991–92 Kirk Bruce 11–18 6–12 7th [7]
1992–93 Kirk Bruce 15–12 10–8 T-4th [7]
1993–94 Kirk Bruce 21–10 12–6 3rd NWIT Third Place [7]
1994–95 Kirk Bruce 17–11 10–8 T-4th [7]
1995–96 Kirk Bruce 6–24 3–15 7th (BE 7) [7]
1996–97 Kirk Bruce 8–22 3–15 7th (BE 7) [7]
1997–98 Kirk Bruce 6–21 3–15 7th (BE 7) [7]
Kirk Bruce: 158–214 77–145
Traci Waites (Big East Conference) (1998–2003)
1998–99 Traci Waites 8–19 3–15 T-12th [7]
1999–2000 Traci Waites 16–13 7–9 T-6th WNIT first round [7]
2000–01 Traci Waites 9–18 3–13 T-12th [7]
2001–02 Traci Waites 8–19 3–13 13th [7]
2002–03 Traci Waites 12–16 4–12 T-11th [7]
Traci Waites: 53–85 20–62
Agnus Berenato (Big East Conference) (2003–2013)
2003–04 Agnus Berenato 6–20 2–14 13th [7]
2004–05 Agnus Berenato 13–15 5–11 10th [7]
2005–06 Agnus Berenato 22–11 9–7 T-6th WNIT semifinals [7]
2006–07 Agnus Berenato 24–9 10–6 T-5th NCAA round of 32 [7]
2007–08 Agnus Berenato 24–11 10–6 T-5th NCAA Sweet Sixteen 16 [7]
2008–09 Agnus Berenato 25–8 12–4 3rd NCAA Sweet Sixteen 15 15 [7]
2009–10 Agnus Berenato 16–15 5–11 T-12th WNIT first round [7]
2010–11 Agnus Berenato 14–17 5–11 12th [7]
2011–12 Agnus Berenato 8–21 0–16 16th
2012–13 Agnus Berenato 9–21 0–16 15th
Agnus Berenato: 161–148 58–102
Suzie McConnell-Serio (Atlantic Coast Conference) (2013–2018)
2013–14 Suzie McConnell-Serio 11–20 3–13 T-14th
2014–15 Suzie McConnell-Serio 20–12 9–7 7th NCAA second round
2015–16 Suzie McConnell-Serio 13–18 4–12 T-13th
2016–17 Suzie McConnell-Serio 13–17 4–12 T-11th
2017–18 Suzie McConnell-Serio 10–20 2–14 13th
Suzie McConnell-Serio: 67–87 22–58
Lance White (Atlantic Coast Conference) (2018–2023)
2018–19 Lance White 11–20 2–14 14th
2019–20 Lance White 5–26 1–17 15th
2020–21 Lance White 5–14 3–12 12th
2021–22 Lance White 11–19 2–16 T-14th
2022–23 Lance White 10–20 3–15 15th
Lance White: 44–99 11–74
Tory Verdi (Atlantic Coast Conference) (2024–present)
2023–24 Tory Verdi 8–24 2–16 T-14th
Tory Verdi: 8–24 2–16
Total: 656–751

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

NCAA tournament results

Year Seed Round Opponent Result
2007 #8 First Round
Second Round		 #9 James Madison
#1 Tennessee		 W 71-61
L 68-54
2008 #6 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen		 #11 Wyoming
3 Baylor
#2 Stanford		 W 63-58
W 67-59
L 72-53
2009 #4 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen		 #13 Montana
12 Gonzaga
#1 Oklahoma		 W 64-35
W 65-60
L 70-59
2015 #10 First Round
Second Round		 #7 Chattanooga
#2 Tennessee		 W 51-40
L 77-67

References

  1. ^ "Color Palette". Pitt Athletics Brand Identity Manual (PDF). February 9, 2022. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  2. ^ The Owl, 1926, University of Pittsburgh, pg. 373
  3. ^ The Owl, 1916, University of Pittsburgh, pg. 314
  4. ^ 2006–07 Pitt Women's Basketball Media Guide, University of Pittsburgh
  5. ^ Associated Press (April 12, 2013). "Pitt hires Suzie McConnell-Serio". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  6. ^ CoSIDA Academic All-American All-Time List (by School) (PDF), College Sports Information Directors of America, 2012-03-08, p. 352, retrieved 2012-06-02
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al "Media Guide". Pittsburgh. 18 November 2011. Retrieved 9 Aug 2013.
  8. ^ http://digital.library.pitt.edu/d/documentingpitt/yearbooks.html. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  9. ^ 1916 Owl, Pg. 309
  10. ^ 1917 Owl pg. 308
  11. ^ 1918 Owl pg. 72
  12. ^ 1919 Owl pg. 376
  13. ^ 1920 Owl pg. 270
  14. ^ 1921 Owl pg. 438
  15. ^ 1922 Owl pg 313
  16. ^ 1923 Owl pg. 368
  17. ^ 1924 Owl. Pg. 330
  18. ^ 1925 Owl pg. 218
  19. ^ a b 2006–07 Temple Women's Basketball Media Guide. Temple University. 2006. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016.
  20. ^ 1926 Owl. Pg. 357
  21. ^ 1927 Owl pg. 318
  22. ^ NYU Women's Basketball Media Guide.
  23. ^ 1928 Owl pg. 304
  24. ^ 1971 Owl pg. 218
  25. ^ Hail to Pitt: A Sports History of the University of Pittsburgh, Jim O'Brien, 1982, Wolfson Publishing, p. 287
  26. ^ 1972 Owl pg. 488
  27. ^ 1973 Owl pg. 245
  28. ^ 1974 Owl pg. 144