Bradford, Pa. -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford men's basketball team got its 2022-23 campaign off to a strong start, defeating Houghton 94-85 on Tuesday Night.
After Trailing the visitors 42-39 at the break, the Panthers outscored the Highlanders 55-43 in the second half to earn the victory. Senior Nate Schneider recorded the first 40-point game for the Panthers in over 10 years, leading the Panthers with 41 points and 23 rebounds.
The Panthers got off to a slow start, as the guests quickly jumped out to a 7-0 lead after a minute and a half. Schneider opened the Panther account for the season with a pair of free throws. The Highlanders extended their lead to 10 before the Panthers were able to quickly cut it in half with a Schneider lay-up and a three from B.J. Williams. The visitors were able to bounce back and extend their advantage back to double digits when a three-pointer at the 10:53 mark put them ahead 23-12. Pitt-Bradford responded, scoring 10 straight to cut the lead to just 1 point. The Panthers scored the first 4 from the line as Schneider and Williams each hit a pair and Gavyn Mason continued the run with a layup in transition. Schneider added one more free throw and then hit a three to close the rally. Over the following 5 minutes, Houghton was able to slowly restore their 10 point lead, but the Panthers closed the half strong, outscoring their guests 12-5 down the stretch to send the game to halftime trailing by three.
The second half saw the teams trade baskets early, but at the 15:00 minute mark, the Panthers made their move. Down 5, Schneider made another basket inside and Phillip Wallace followed up with a layup of his own to cut the lead to 1. Schneider gave the Panthers their first lead of the game with a pair of free throws with 13:43 to go. Both teams exchanged a pair of free throws, before the Panthers took the momentum, scoring 14 of 16 to rake a commanding lead. Schneider started the run with a layup on the break after a steal and then after a Pitt-Bradford timeout, Gus Napoleon hit a long jumper to put the Panthers up 5. Schneider scored inside again on a second chance before the Highlanders finally broke the streak with a jumper inside. Schneider answered with another layup and then Jeremy Rodriguez and Caden Beldin each hit threes to put the Panthers ahead 76-63. Houghton cut the lead to 6 with 4:15 to go, but Wallace hit a big three to slow the rally. Schneider continued to lead the Panthers down the stretch, scoring 9 of the final 12 points for the Panthers to put the game away.
Nate Schneider set a new career-high with 41 points in the game. His 23 rebounds were also a career-high. He made 13-22 from the field and made 14-16 from the line. He also added 1 assist, 2 steals and 2 blocks. Phillip Wallace added 13 points and 6 rebounds, while BJ Williams also scored 13 and tallied 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals. Jeremy Rodriguez provided a spark off the bench, scoring 9 points and adding 6 rebounds and 6 assists.
With the season-opening win, the Panthers are 1-0 on the season. They will return to action over the weekend, as they travel to Heidelberg for the Ron Linhart Memorial Classic. They will take on Olivet at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 11, and Wisconsin-Whitewater at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday.