Erie, Pa. -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford men's basketball team took on Penn State-Behrend on Saturday, looking to stop a two-game losing skid. The Panthers struggled to keep up with the Lions in the first half and ultimately lost to the hosts 77-59.

The Panthers got off to a terrific start, scoring the first six points of the game. Gus Napoleon opened the game with a fade-away jumper and Jamarion Butler and Jesse Laster added jump shots a minute later. Butler added a free throw after the Lions scored their first basket but the Lions quickly evened the score with 5 straight. Napoleon hit another mid-range jumper to keep the Panthers in front for a few moments before the hosts took the lead with 5 more unanswered. Laster made a three to tie the game at 12 but the Lions were able to immediately answer and go back in front. 

Mo Berete and Napoleon each made baskets inside to keep the Panthers close over the next few minutes before a 9-0 Behrend run extended the lead to 13. Keshon Kittrell ended the run with a three and a few possessions later Trey Davis made another to cut the lead to 9. After Xavion Boone Roverson drove to the basket for a layup with 1:44 remaining, the Lions locked down the Panthers, outscoring Pitt-Bradford 7-0 to take an 18-point lead to halftime.

After the break, Napoleon came out of the locker room firing, scoring all 8 of the Panthers' points over the first 5-minutes of the second half. Unfortunately, the Panthers were not able to keep the Lions off the board during the same stretch, and the Panthers could not cut into the deficit. The Lions eventually pushed their lead to 24 points before the Panthers made a final run at the lead. Kittrell made another long ball to start a rally and Napoleon added another fadeaway jumper and a three to put the Panthers down 16. The Panthers were unable to add to the run after the Napoleon three, as the Lions were able to maintain their lead for the remainder of the game. 

Gus Napoleon scored a career-high 23 points in the loss. He made 9-12 from the field, including 3-4 from beyond the arc. He was the only Panther to reach double figures in the game. Xavion Boone Roberson scored 9 points, while also tallying 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals. 

The loss drops the Panthers to 11-10 on the season with a 7-7 record in AMCC play. They will be back in KOA Arena on Wednesday as they look to get back in the win column against Alfred State. Tipoff is slated for 7:00 p.m.