Pitt Women To Take On Chattanooga In NCAA Tournament
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Pitt's women's basketball team had to wait a little while, but they finally heard their name called to participate in the NCAA Tournament.
The Panthers (19-11, 9-7 ACC) enter the tournament as a No. 10 seed in the Spokane Region. Their first round opponent are the No, 7 seed Chattanooga Mocs (29-3, 14-0 Southern Conference).
The game will take place at the Thompson-Boiling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee at 11:05 a.m. on Saturday.
The Panthers were on edge, as they were the 62nd member of the 64-team field to be announced on Monday night.
Coach Suzie McConnell-Serio and her team jumped for joy after hearing they were selected.
"Oh my goodness, it's like a sundae you haven't had in a long time, and it tastes so delicious. That's what it feels like right now," senior Brianna Kiesel said. "All we saw was Pittsburgh, and we automatically jumped up. We're just that excited. I mean, for coach to come in here and turn the program around in two years, I mean how amazing is that? Just makes it that much better."
This time around, it was a much sweeter taste for McConnell-Serio.
In 2013, her Duquesne squad was expected to make the field, but never heard their name called.
"I honestly didn't see who we were playing. I saw Pittsburgh come up, they could have put us at any seed, sent us anywhere. Just to be part of the NCAA Tournament is an experience that players will remember for the rest of their lives," McConnell-Serio said.
The game could be a tough one for the Panthers. Chattanooga is riding a 25-game winning streak entering the tournament and is the No. 17 team in the country, according to the latest AP poll.
Should the Panthers advance, they will get the winner of the game between No. 15 Boise State and No. 2 Tennessee.
Tennessee was ranked No. 6 in the country in the latest AP poll.
That second round game would be played on Monday.
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