Bradford, Pa. -- Despite a 29-point fourth quarter, the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford women's basketball team came up short in a home matchup with La Roche, falling to the Redhawks 82-67.
Pitt-Bradford got off to an immediate start, as Amber Murak was able to control the opening tip and convert it into a fast break layup. After the visitors scored two straight layups, the Panthers went back in front when Murak drove to the basket for another layup and Paige Gratto added a pair from the line. Gratto grabbed the defensive rebound on the next trip down the floor and then added a layup on a feed from Katie Woolson to put the Panthers ahead 8-4. Following a timeout and a LaRoche basket, Gratto made another field goal, however, it was followed by 10-0 Redhawk rally that saw the visitors jump in front. In the final minute of the quarter, Murak stole the ball in the backcourt and converted it into another layup, ending the first period with the Panthers trailing 16-12.
La Roche scored twice unanswered to begin the second quarter, but Pitt-Bradford was able to stay within two possessions as Alexa Ackerman and Gratto each made threes. The Redhawks scored 13 of the next 15 points to extend their lead to 15 points. Raquel Sewell made a putback layup during the LaRoche run and then closed the half with a short jump shot. Neither team added to their total over the last 50 seconds of the half, and the teams went to the break with La Roche leading 35-22.
The Panthers struggled to restart their offense in the 2nd half, and the visitors took advantage, pushing their advantage to 21 with an 8-0 run. Gratto ended the dry spell after four minutes with a pair of second-chance baskets. Pitt-Bradford could not build momentum after the Gratto putbacks, and La Roche went on a 12-3 run over the following three minutes. Murak made her first three of the game with 2:55 left in the quarter and then added two more in the final minute of the period. To end the third, the Redhawks made a buzzer-beating jump shot to send the game to the 4th with Pitt-Bradford trailing 63-38.
The visitors opened the final period with two unanswered three-pointers before Gratto got the Panthers back on the board with a jump shot. La Roche answered with a layup, but the Panthers began to cut into the lead when Murak converted three free throws. After another Redhawk layup, Ackerman made a three from the right wing, and then after her shot was matched on the other end, Murak made her 4th long ball of the game on the next trip down the floor. Her three began a 13-0 run for the Panthers that stretched over three minutes. Gratto continued the rally with a layup and three free throws, and Woolson added a driving layup after a La Roche turnover. Murak bookended the rally by making another three from the wing, cutting the lead to 17. The visitors stopped the run and scored 6 of the next 8 points to extend their lead back to 21 with a minute remaining. In the final 50 seconds, Avery Benzel made three layups to end the game.
Paige Gratto and Amber Murak both finished the game with 24 points. Gratto recorded her 5th double-double of the season, as she also grabbed 10 rebounds. Murak set a career-high in the second consecutive game. She made 5 three-pointers and also registered 5 rebounds and 3 steals. Avery BEnzel added 7 points, while Raquel Sewell collected 9 rebounds.
The Panthers fall to 2-14 on the season with a 1-9 mark in conference play. They will hit the road for their midweek matchup, as they head to the Buffalo area for a crucial contest against Hilbert, who they defeated 73-52 in their first matchup.
