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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Pittman becomes swat expert

Associated Press

Growing up, Tiffany Pittman thought the closest she’d get to a basketball court was standing along the baseline, pompoms in hand and a smile on her face.

It turns out the Morehead State junior is more comfortable raising her arms on defense than in celebration.

Pittman is averaging 5.9 blocks per game – among tops in the nation – and became Morehead State’s leading shot-blocker when she swatted the 206th shot of her career in a loss to Central Michigan last Tuesday.

Not that Pittman noticed. She wasn’t aware of the feat until someone pulled her aside after the game.

“I don’t really keep track,” the center said. “I don’t really look at the stat sheet.”

At 6-foot-2 and a rail-thin 140 pounds, Pittman hardly looks intimidating. Then she raises her arms. While admittedly not a great leaper, Pittman relies more on positioning and instincts than athleticism.

“I’m just long and skinny,” Pittman said. “I try to know where the ball is, and when the ball comes inside I just try to step up and block it.”

She had eight blocks in a loss to No. 10 Louisville last week, including a perfectly timed denial of Louisville All-American Angel McCoughtry.

Not bad for a player who didn’t begin playing until she failed to make her high school cheerleading squad. Her parents – both former high school players – encouraged her to pick up the game and she spent countless hours in her backyard refining her skills.

While still a work in progress, she’s averaging 10.3 points and 10.1 rebounds for the 8-6 Eagles, who play in the Ohio Valley Conference.

“I know my role on this team is to play defense,” said Pittman, who wants a career in broadcast journalism. “I’m not fragile. I know if I’m going to play the post, I’ve got to be tough.”