PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania – Pitt overcame a 13-point deficit in the second half to thwart an upset bid by UNCW as the Panthers eked out a 60-56 victory over the Seahawks in non-conference women's basketball action at the Petersen Events Center on Tuesday evening.
 
The Panthers ran their record to 7-5 on the season with their fifth win in the last six games while UNCW dropped to 5-4 following its second straight setback.
 
Sophomore center Cara Judkins led three Pitt players in double figures with a game-high 16 points while contributing seven rebounds and three blocked shots. Senior guard Cassidy Walsh chipped in 15 points and eight rebounds while sophomore guard Kyla Nelson added 11 points.
 
Redshirt junior guard GiGi Smith paced UNCW with 15 points on 6-of-16 shooting from the field, including a 3-for-7 effort from three-point range. Redshirt senior guard Shrita Parker added 14 points with a game-high six assists.
 
Sophomore forward Carol-Anne Obusek, making her UNCW debut, contributed six points and a team-high five rebounds.   
 
Key Moment: The Panthers, who trailed by a 41-28 margin in the third quarter, took the lead for good with 47 seconds remaining when Walsh hit a jumper for a 56-55 advantage. Pitt secured the victory by making four free throws in the closing 20 seconds.  
 
Up Next: UNCW returns to Trask Coliseum on Friday, Dec. 21, when the Seahawks welcome Longwood for a 7 p.m. non-conference game. Fans are encouraged to wear their ugly holiday sweaters for the Seahawks' final game before the Christmas break.  

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