Pittsburgh, PA -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford women's basketball team returned to action for the Spring semester in Pittsburgh on Saturday. The Panthers struggled to start their offense and lost to LaRoche 93-33.

The hosts scored the first 5 points of the game before Amber Murak got the Panthers on the board with a pull-up jump shot. The Redhawks continued their rally after the basket, scoring four more before the Panthers called a time-out. After the breather, Paige Gratto and Yasmine Abu-Aiadeh each made baskets, however, LaRoche followed them with a 13-3 run to end the quarter with a 24-9 lead.

As the game moved into the second period, the LaRoche run continued and the hosts scored 9 more points before Gratto made a pair of free throws for the Panthers. Murak made a three a minute later, but it was followed by another scoring drought that put the Redhawks up 44-14. Gratto made two more from the line to slow the rally, however, LaRoche scored 9 more before Murak ended the half with a midrange jumper. 

After the break, LaRoche continued to add to their advantage and scored the first 10 points of the third. It was part of a larger 16-1 run that ended with a Gratto three and Murak layup after the Panthers were held without a field goal for the first 7 and a half minutes of the half. Abu-Aiadeh added a late free throw, sending the game to the 4th quarter with LaRoche ahead 72-25.

Abu-Aiadeh matched an early LaRoche layup to begin the final quarter and after the Redhawks responded with two of their own, Amaria Mims drove to the basket for a layup. Gratto added a layup and two free throws in the quarter, while the hosts scored 15 more to win the game 93-33.

Paige Gratto led the Panthers with 13 points and 5 rebounds. Amber Murak finished with 9 points, while Yasmine Abu-Aiadeh added 8. 

The loss drops Pitt-Bradford to 2-7 on the year, and 1-2 in AMCC play. They will be back in action on Wednesday, as they will host Carlow as part of a midweek doubleheader. The game will tip off at approximately 7:00 p.m., or 30 minutes after the men's game completes.