Bradford, PA. -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford women's basketball team hosted Penn State-Altoona in KOA Arena on Wednesday evening, falling to the Lions by a score of 77-54.
The Panthers started strong, and they took the lead after a quick steal led to a fast break layup by Alexa Ackerman within the first 10 seconds of play. They were not able to hold onto the momentum for long as the Lions answered right back with consecutive threes and a pair of free throws to go ahead 8-2. Katie Woolson ended the run with a driving layup, however, her effort was answered with two more three-pointers, which pushed the deficit to 10. Ackerman made a three from the wing to temporarily cut into the lead, but the Panthers did not hold onto momentum once again and the three was immediately answered. The visitors pushed their lead to 11 with a pair of layups before Paige Gratto made a baseline jumper to end the first period with Pitt-Bradford trailing 22-13.
In the second period, the Panthers struggled to score and were limited to just 5 points in the quarter. The Lions started the 2nd with 5 quick points, and then Avery Benzel stole the ball in the backcourt and converted it into an uncontested layup. Her basket was followed by a long-scoring drought that lasted more than 7 minutes. In that span, Penn State-Altoona scored 12 unanswered points to extend their advantage to 24. Amaria Mims ended the dry spell, driving to the basket to convert a three-point play. Her basket was the final points of the half, sending the game to the break with Penn State-Altoona leading 39-18.
Both teams started the 3rd quarter slowly, but quickly exchanged baskets after the first minute. Benzel and Gratto each answered Penn State-Altoona baskets with layups, but shortly afterward, the Lions locked down and quickly scored 6 in a row. After a pair of Raquel Sewell free throws, Gratto took over for Pitt-Bradford, scoring the Panthers' next 9 points. Unfortunately, the Panthers could not use her hot streak to cut into the lead, as they scored 8 of their own points in the same stretch. Over the last two minutes of the quarter, the Panthers were limited to two free throws, while the Lions extended their lead to 34 points. After Ackerman made the second free throw for the Panthers, Benzel was able to steal the inbound pass and beat the buzzer with a layup.
In the final quarter, the Panthers found early success and cut into the deficit early. Woolson opened the period with a driving layup and then after the Lions answered with a three, the Panthers scored 9 straight. Gratto started the run with a long three from the top of the key and then after a Woolson free throw, Sewell made a putback layup and Benzel hit a corner three to put Pitt-Bradford down 23. Amber Murak scored 5 points in the last 4 minutes of play, and Gratto added a final free throw while the visitors maintained their lead and won 77-54.
Paige Gratto led all scorers with 19 points. She made 7-11 from the field, including 2-2 from three and 3 of 4 from the line. She also grabbed 9 rebounds. Avery Benzel added 12 points. Alexa Ackerman scored 6, while leading the team with 4 steals.
The loss drops the Panthers to 2-12 on the season with a 1-7 mark through one rotation of AMCC play. They will be on the road this weekend, as they travel to Mount Aloysius for a Saturday rematch with the Mounties. The Panthers fell 104-52 to the Mounties in their previous matchup this season. Tipoff is set for 4:00 p.m.
