Bradford, Pa. -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford women's basketball team returned to KOA Arena on Saturday looking to double their AMCC win total with a matchup against Pitt-Greensburg. Unfortunately, the Panthers fell behind the Bobcats in the second quarter and eventually lost the game 66-58.
Both teams struggled to find their range early in the contest, as neither could convert from the field. The Panthers did find early success from the charity stripe, as they took an early 3-1 lead from the free throw line. The Bobcats scored 5 straight to take the lead halfway through the period, But Alexa Ackerman made a pair of threes to put the Panthers back in front. After Pitt-Greensburg tied the game at 10, the Panthers scored 5 straight. Amber Murak made a three from the right wing, and then Avery Benzel stole the ball at the top of the key and converted it into a fast break layup. The Visitors eventually retired the game at 16, but Paige Gratto made a layup in the final seconds to end the first quarter with Pitt-Bradford ahead 18-16.
Amber Murak answered an early Bobcat basket to start the second with a tip in, and then after the visitors took the lead with a three, Benzel drove to the basket for a layup to take it right back. Pitt-Greensburg scored the next four points of the game before the Panthers responded with a short jumper by Amaria Mims and a Gratto layup to force a Bobcat timeout with 3 minutes left in the half and the Panthers ahead 26-25. The timeout broke the Panthers' rhythm and the Bobcats were able to take over, outscoring Pitt-Bradford 8-0 to close the half and take a 33-26 lead into the locker room.
After the break, the Panthers stepped up their defense, holding the Bobcats scoreless for the first four minutes of action. They cut the lead to four with a Murak free throw and Gratto layup, and then continued their rally after Pitt-Greensburg got back don't he board with two more field goals from Murak, moving the deficit to two points. The visitors took the momentum back right away, converting a three-point play on the next possession, beginning a 6-0 run to restore their eight-point advantage. They eventually extended their lead into double digits before Katie Woolson made a pair of free throws to send the game to its final period with Pitt-Bradford trailing 47-38.
The Panthers started the 4th strongly, scoring a quick bucket on a Benzel drive on the opening possession, and then after a stop, Murak sank a corner three to put Pitt-Bradford down four. The teams exchanged baskets before Gratto answered a free throw with a fast break layup to put the Panthers down one possession at 3 points. They were unable to cut further into the lead, as the Bobcats quickly scored 5 straight to restore the eight-point margin. Following a timeout Mims and Gratto made back-to-back layups, however, the Panthers could not gather further momentum and the Bobcats scored two layups of their own. Late in the game, Murak made a three, while Gratto and Woolson added field goals, but the Panthers were unable to get the lead inside five points and they ultimately lost the game 66-58.
Paige Gratto led all scorers with 19 points. She also registered her 4th double-double of the season, collecting 10 rebounds. Amber Murak finished with 16 points and 9 rebounds, leading the Panthers with three 3-pointers made. Avery Benzel finished with the team lead in rebounds with 11, while also tallying 7 points, 4 assists and 3 steals.
The Panthers fall to 2-11 on the season with a 1-6 mark in AMCC play. They will be back in action at home on Wednesday when they host Penn State-Altoona in KOA Arena. Tipoff is slated for 7:00 p.m.
