SCRANTON, Pa. – The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford men's basketball team put together a strong second half but fell to York (Pa.), 101-89, opening its 2017-18 season in the Hilton Scranton Invitational.

Down 25 at halftime, the Panthers outscored York, 54-41, in the second half and trimmed the final deficit to 12 points.

"Tonight, we did not guard the perimeter very well," Head Coach Sean Brown Sr. said. "Although we were without three starters, our defense has to play better. However, we did not quit, and I'm proud of my guys for that. I know we are going to have such nights as this, with a new voice, new system, new coach and many new players. We need to do a better job on the glass and protect the ball, but I expect us to come out tomorrow starting the way we finished tonight."

In his first collegiate game, Jeffrey Fry came out strong, leading the Panthers with 20 points and six three-pointers. Fry's six three-pointers are the most since Manny Welch knocked down six on Dec. 31, 2016.

Five total Panthers scored in double-figures, as Reginald Rogers registered the second-highest point total with 18, Dylan Niedermeyer scored 17, Desmond Brogsdale dropped 16 and Sahlil Harris chipped in 12.

York came out strong from the tip, storming out to a 19-4 lead four minutes into the game.

A Niedermeyer layup followed by Fry's first collegiate three-pointer brought the Panthers to within 10 points at the 15:30 mark.

Three-balls from Rogers and Fry followed by a layup from Fry rounded out a 13-3 run that brought the Panthers to within five with 13 minutes left in the first half.

York then regained the momentum, and a bucket in the closing seconds of the first half put them ahead 60-35, its largest lead of the half at 25 points.

After a strong first few minutes of the second half, York opened up its largest lead of the game at 34 points.

But the Panthers chipped away and closed out the game on a 15-2 run to finish the game with a 12-point deficit.

The Panthers out-shot York, 46.4-45.1 percent. UPB also shot 40 percent from beyond the arc. In addition to Fry's six three-pointers, Rogers made a pair to total eight three's for the Panthers.

In addition to his 17 points, Niedermeyer also pulled down a career-high 12 rebounds for the first double-double of his collegiate career.

Pitt-Bradford will play its second and final game of the Scranton Invitational tomorrow with a time and opponent to be announced.