Greensburg, PA. -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford women's basketball team fell to Pitt-Greensburg on the road 48-76 Saturday, eliminating them from playoff contention.
Alexa Ackerman was able to give the Panthers an early lead, as she answered an early Bobcat layup with a three-pointer on a pass from Abigail Goss. Pitt-Bradford was unable to build any momentum off the made three, however, as the hosts quickly scored eight in a row to go ahead 3-10. Ackerman made a mid-range shot to end the Bobcat run, but her basket was followed by four more from the hosts, putting the Panthers down 9. Goss was able to go on a personal 6-0 run, making four layups inside, but the bobcats restored their lead with a quick three and a layup. McKenna Kelly was able to make a three with 1:18 to go, but the hosts closed the quarter on a 5-0 run to go to the second period leading 24-14.
The Bobcats added to their lead in the second, as they scored the first six points of the quarter. Alexa Ackerman ended a four-minute drought with a layup, but after a Trinity Lockwood-Morris jumper, the bobcats rolled off 12 of 14 points to take a 21-point advantage. Pitt-Bradford was able to keep the Bobcats off the board for the last two minutes of the half and cut the deficit to 17 just before halftime through late baskets from Lockwood-Morris and Goss.
The Panthers were slow to restart after the break as Pitt-Greensburg scored 5 quick points to start the half. Goss made a pair of layups and Lockwood-Morris added another to keep the Bobcat lead around 20, but the hosts closed the quarter on a 17-4 run. The Panthers were limited to an Avery Benzel layup and a pair of free throws, while the Bobcats used a late 10-point run to close the period.
Lauryn Moore made two early baskets for the Panthers in the 4th quarter, however, the Bobcats were able to score 9 of their own in the same period to increase their lead. Pitt-Bradford was able to close strong, as they outscored Pitt-Greensburg 10-2 over the last 5 minutes of play. Goss scored 8 points in the Panther rally, while Avery Benzel added a jumper.
Goss finished the game with 20 points, making 9-18 from the field. She also grabbed 6 rebounds. Trinity Lockwood-Morris scored 10 points off the bench, making 4 of 7 attempts. Alexa Ackerman added 7 points while she also grabbed 6 rebounds and tallied 2 assists, 1 steal, and a blocked shot.
The Panthers fall to 3-19 on the season, with a 1-11 record in AMCC play. With two games remaining, the Panthers will not be able to catch Hilbert or Mount Aloysius, who are tied at 5th and 6th with a 4-8 record. They will be back on the road on Wednesday, as they head to Buffalo to take on Hilbert at 7:00 p.m. They will then close their season on Saturday, February 18th against Penn State-Altoona on Senior Night.
