Bradford, Pa. -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford women's basketball team hosted Penn State-Behrend in their penultimate home game Wednesday night, falling to the Lions 107-47.
The Panthers got off to a strong start as despite the visitors scoring first, OPitt-Bradford was able to take an early lead. Alexa Ackerman and Trinity Lockwood-Morris each responded to early Lion field goals by driving to the basket for a pair of layups. After an Ackerman steal, Ashlet Hall hit a three from the corner to put the Panthers up 7-4 after two minutes and thirty seconds of play. Unfortunately, the Lions locked down defensively after the long ball, keeping the Panthers off the board for the rest of the quarter, while scoring 18 unanswered points to lead the game 22-7 after one.
Katie Woolson started the second period with a three from the wing to end the drought, but the visitors slowly added to the lead over the next few minutes. Woolson added a pair of free throws and a short jumper to keep the deficit around 15 points, but the Lions continued scoring, eventually doubling their lead by halftime. Lockwood-Morris and McKenna Kelly each made baskets inside, but the Lions took a 49-18 lead into the break.
Things did not improve after halftime, as despite a strong 18-point output in the 3rd from Pitt-Bradford, the visitors continued increasing their lead, adding 24 of their own. Woolson made two early baskets around a pair of Hall free throws and a layup from Lockwood-Morris, but each Panther basket was answered by their opponents, leaving Pitt-Bradford unable to cut into the lead. Daizjah Brown added a long jump shot and Alexa Ackerman hit a three in the final minute, but the visitors took the game into its final quarter with a 37-point edge.
The Lions kept up the pressure in the 4th, outscoring the Panthers 34-11 in the final period. Over the first two minutes of the 4th, they pushed their lead over 40 points as they outscored the Panthers 9-2 over the stretch, with the only Panther basket coming on a Hall jumper. Lockwood-Morris made three straight layups in the 4th, and Ackerman added a final three, but the Panthers were held off the board for the final 3:57 of the game, leading to a 107-47 final.
Sophomore Katie Woolson, who missed her inaugural campaign through injury, set a career-high with 15 points in 21 minutes of action off the bench. she made 4-11 from the field but was able to make all six free throws she attempted to get over double digits. Trinity Lockwood-Morris also reached double figures, scoring 12 points, while also finishing with 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and a steal. Alexa Ackerman added 9 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals, while Ashley Hall scored 7 points and led the team with 8 rebounds.
The Panthers fall to 3-18 with the loss and a 1-10 record in AMCC play. They are at the bottom of the conference standings with three games to go, needing to win their final games and get help from others to secure a return to the postseason. They will look to begin their climb to the playoffs on Saturday when they travel to Pitt-Greensburg. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.
