BRADFORD, Pa. -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford men's basketball team held the lead at halftime but ultimately could not hold on in a non-conference tilt against No. 25 Middlebury at the KOA Arena Monday, 72-53.
With the decision, Middlebury improves to 7-2 and Pitt-Bradford moves to 2-7.
Jeffrey Fry led the Panthers with 14 points and Dylan Mitchell dropped 10 points.
Fry connected on 3-4 attempts from long range. He was also fouled shooting a three-pointer in the first half and made all three free throws.
It was the tale of two halves as the Panthers came through with a 36-29 advantage in the opening half but were outscored 43-17 in the second half.
In the opening possessions, Middlebury came short on its first six attempts from deep. In the whole first half, Middlebury shot 3-15 on three-point attempts.
Pitt-Bradford had its stroke early. Justin Kusiappouh knocked down mid-range jumpers on three of four possessions to hang with Middlebury early.
Down 24-15 at the 4:47 mark, a layup from Mitchell, three-balls from Fry and Desmond Brogsdale then a trio of free throws form Fry made up an 11-2 run to tie the game at 26-26.
In the final minutes of the first half, three-pointers from Ugwunna Amadi and George Alston then a jumper from Reggie Rogers with 17 seconds left sent Pitt-Bradford into the half ahead.
Pitt-Bradford shot the ball well in the first half as the Panthers connected on 46.7 percent (14-30) attempts and 45.5 percent (5-11) three-pointers.
The Panther defense held Middlebury to 35.5 percent shooting (11-31) and 20 percent (3-15) on three-pointers in the first half.
But Middlebury found its form in the second half and shot 51.6 percent (16-31) to close out and gain the advantage.
In all, Mitchell was the top rebounder for the Panthers with six boards.
Rogers dished six assists to lead the game.
As a team, Pitt-Bradford connected on 10-11 (90.9 percent) free throws while Middlebury shot 12-21 (57.1) from the line.
Up next, Pitt-Bradford will be idle for the holidays and return to competition on Jan. 2 as New York University comes to the KOA Arena for another non-conference contest.
