Bradford, Pa. -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford men's basketball program continued their program-best start on Tuesday, as they won their 7th straight contest to begin the season, defeating Houghton 120-87.
Pitt-Bradford was able to start quickly, answering an opening basket from Houghton with two in a row by Jamarion Butler. The visitors remained even with the Panthers, answering two Braylen Salters free throws with a layup, but Salters stepped back and hit a three to keep Pitt-Bradford in the driver's seat. Despite two Panther baskets around a Houghton turnover, the visitors took a short-lived lead going ahead 15-14 with a layup. After an offensive foul turned the ball over, the Pitt-Bradford defense ramped up the pressure forcing two quick turnovers that resulted in crowd-electrifying dunks from Butler and Jesse Laster. The slams started a 15-0 Panther run that put Pitt-Bradford ahead 29-15 with 11 minutes remaining in the first half.
The Panthers continued extending their advantage after the run ended, as Salters made two layups and a three around a Butler jumper. Despite a Houghton layup, the lead grew to 22 points with a Butler long ball and two from the free-throw line by Laster. Leading 58-38 with 1:35 left until the break, the Panthers closed the half strong, scoring the final 7 points. Salters converted a driving layup, and Butler turned a Logan Joncas steal into a short jumper. In the final seconds, Laster made a three to send the game to halftime with Pitt-Bradford ahead 65-38.
To begin the second half Pitt-Bradford remained in control of the contest. Salters turned a half-opening turnover into a three and then after the teams exchanged 3 baskets, a Keshon Kittrell long ball started a 10-0 run that resulted in a 38-point lead, the Panthers' largest of the game. For the next 5 minutes of play, the Panthers were able to maintain their lead, as they continued to answer Houghton's scoring runs. The stretch was punctuated with two more slam dunks around a timeout with Butler throwing down the first and then lobbing an alley-oop to Laster for the second.
The Panthers crossed the century mark for the 6th time in 7 games with 9 minutes left on the clock on a Rodd Yarbrough free throw. They slowed down in the final 9-minutes of the game, allowing Houghton to chip away at the lead. Kittrell pushed the advantage back to 35 when he grabbed his own rebound and converted a three-point play with 6 minutes to go. The Panthers emptied their bench late, and after Nasier Starks tipped in a basket on an offensive rebound, Dante Sanchez closed the scoring with two from the free-throw line after a steal in the backcourt.
Pitt-Bradford had a highly efficient shooting night as a team, making 55% from the field, including 45.2% from three. They also were 18-21 from the lie. They spread out the scoring, as 6 players reached double figures, paced by Braylen Salters's 24. Jamarion Butler scored 21 points and led the team with 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals. Off the bench, Coby Farley and Xander Norris had extremely similar stat lines. Both scored 15 points, making 5-8 from the field. Rodd Yarbrough added 14, while Jesse Laster had 12.
The Panthers improve their unblemished record to 7-0. They will face a tough test in their next contest, as they will host Hilbert in a crucial AMCC matchup. Tipoff is set for 2:00 p.m. in KOA Arena on Saturday.
