Bradford, Pa. -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford closed a 3-game homestand impressively on Wednesday night, defeating Wells 81-43 in AMCC action.
The Panthers got started on the opening possession as Jesse Laster made a putback layup to open the scoring. The visitors answered immediately, but Laster Made another close-range jumper two minutes later to keep the Panthers ahead. Tied at four after 5 minutes of play, Coby Farlet was able to drive to the basket for buckets on back-to-back layups to give the Panthers a lead that they would not relinquish. Wells quickly added a free throw, but their point was followed by a 13-4 run, opening up a double-digit advantage. Laster scored 68 points in the rally, while Jamarion Butler stole the ball and raced to the basket for a slam dunk and Gus Napoleon hit a three to end the run.
Ahead 21-9, the Panthers quickly extended the lead to 17. Butler was able to drive to the basket for a layup and after Samuel Brown converted a steal into a fast-break layup, Laster made a three from the wing. The Express cut the lead down with a three-point play and a single free throw before Trey Davis and Xavion Boone-Roberson restored the advantage, splitting 8 points. Davis made a three and a short jump shot, while Boone Roberson made a free throw and then pulled up for a short jump shot. Farley added two late free throws before Wells closed the half on a 5-0 run to send the game to the break with Pitt-Bradford ahead 40-24.
Pitt-Bradford kept the momentum on their side of the bench as the 2nd half began. Samuel Brown made three early layups to begin the period, and Laster pushed the lead to 24 after 5 minutes of play in the half, as he flipped a shot towards the basket through contact, making it while also drawing a foul for an and-one opportunity, which he converted. The Panther lead slowly grew, extending to 29 with another fast break dunk by Butler and a layup in transition by Brown.
The Panthers maintained the 31-point lead over a four-minute span as they answered successful offensive possessions by the Express with baskets of their own. Farley fed Mo Berete for a two-handed slam dunk with 7:34 remaining and then assisted Davis and Logan Joncas on consecutive three-pointers, pushing the lead to 37. With the benches emptied in the final minutes, Mason Emerson was able to add a pair of free throws for the Panthers and Matt Pannes closed the scoring in the game with a three-point play.
Jesse Laster had a huge game for the Panthers, scoring a season-high 24 points on 7-12 shooting, including 9-9 from the free throw line. He also registered his first double-double of the season, finishing with 14 rebounds. Jamrion Butler struggled to find his rhythm offensively, scoring 11 points in the win but was also able to affect the game in other ways, as he tallied 4 assists and 5 steals. A pair of Panthers reached double figures off the bench. Freshman Samuel Brown scored a career-high 10 points, while also grabbing 8 rebounds and blocking 5 shots. Trey Davis added 10 points.
The victory moves Pitt-Bradford to 11-7 on the season, with a 7-4 record in AMCC play. They will hit the road for a tough 3-game stretch over the next week, starting with a rematch at La Roche, who they defeated in double overtime earlier this season. Tipoff is set for 4:00 p.m. on Saturday.
