Alfred, N.Y. -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford women's basketball team opened their 2024-25 campaign with a 72-59 loss to the Alfred Saxons on Saturday.

Yasmine Abu-Aiadeh got the Panthers started, hitting a jump shot after an Alexa Ackerman steal on the opening possession. The hosts started quickly with 8 in a row, but after a Katie Woolson three, Amaria Mims and Raquel Sewell made baskets inside to put the Panthers in front. Paige Gratto made back-to-back layups and a three to put Pitt-Bradford ahead 18-14, but Alfred scored 5 unanswered in the last minute to hold a 19-18 lead after one.

The rally continued into the second period, as the hosts scored the first 8 points of the quarter to push their advantage to 9. After the Panthers cut the lead to three with two Gratto layups around a Sewell jumper, the Saxons went on a 17-3 which sent the game to the break with the Panthers trailing 46-29. 

Alexa Ackerman found her range as the second half began, scoring 8 of Pitt-Bradford's first 9 points in the third quarter. The Panthers struggled to score late in the quarter, going on a three-minute scoring drought between an Amber Murak Layup at 3:48 and another from Gratto with 5 seconds left in the quarter.

The Panthers saw the deficit grow to 25 after Alfred scored the first 4 points of the 4th, but closed strong to cut into the lead before the final whistle. They clamped down defensively, allowing the Saxons to score only 5 points in the final 8:39 while scoring 17 of their own in the same span. The run started with back-to-back layups by Gratto and Murak before a three by Abu-Aiadeh cut the deficit to 18. Alfred made a three after a jumper from Gratto but Woolson responded with two free throws and a fast-break layup. Gratto made a final three with 1:33 to go, but could not score over the final minute, leading to the 72-59 final score. 

Paige Gratto led the Panthers with 20 points and 9 rebounds. Yasmine Abu-Aiadeh added 11, while also grabbing 5 rebounds. Alexa Ackerman also reached double figures, finishing with 10 points. 

The Panthers fall to 0-1 after the opening-day loss. They will open their home slate on Wednesday, November 13th, when the host Keuka. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. in KOA Arena.