GREENSBURG, Pa. – The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford women's basketball team ended its regular season on a high note as it defeated Pitt-Greensburg Saturday, 73-68, in an Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference game.
With the victory, the Panthers secured the No. 3 seed in the AMCC Championship Tournament and will host No. 6 La Roche Wednesday at the KOA Arena.
"We played tough today," Head Coach Sharay Hall said. "We fought through aggressive play and finished strong. Another team win with a lot of players scoring today. As far as La Roche, we are excited going into playoff week. The Bradford and La Roche rivalry is intense and we are preparing hard in order to knock out the reigning champs."
Jennifer Isenberg recorded a double-double of 23 points and 14 rebounds, and Ali Rinfrette led all scorers with 28 points.
Pitt-Greensburg's offense was clicking early, as the Bobcats held a 12-4 lead three minutes into the contest.
A Pitt-Bradford run tightened the gap, but the Bobcats held a 22-19 lead heading into the second.
Three quick buckets from Isenberg, Bri Wells and Etreece Adams to start the second quarter put the Panthers ahead, 25-22.
The Panther defense held tough, allowing just eight Bobcat points in the quarter.
A three-pointer from Rinfrette capped the scoring for the Panthers in the first half and the Panthers took a 38-30 lead into halftime.
Pitt-Greensburg put together a strong offensive quarter to battle back in the third.
The Panthers held a steady lead until a 12-0 Bobcat run put them ahead, 51-46, with over a minute to play in the period.
Six straight points split evenly by Rinfrette and Isenberg put the Panthers back on top, 52-51, in the closing seconds of the quarter.
A Bobcat free throw tied the game at 52-52 and the two teams went into the fourth quarter tied.
But Pitt-Bradford rose to the occasion and put together its best offensive period of the game, dropping 21 points and holding Pitt-Greensburg to 16 to take the advantage.
Rinfrette dropped 13 points in the fourth quarter alone, connecting on three field goals and two three-pointers while making five of six free throws.
In total, Pitt-Bradford won the rebounding battle, 45-43. In addition to Isenberg's 14, Rinfrette grabbed six while Shaelyn Snipes and Adams had five apiece.
As a team, the Panthers had 14 steals, five coming from Rinfrette.
Wednesday's playoff game at the KOA Arena is set for a 7 p.m. start time and will be free admission.
