Buffalo, N.Y. -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford returned to action on Saturday as they traveled to Buffalo to compete in the Brunswick Niagara Open. The Panthers went 1-3 on the first day of Traditional format bowling.

The Panthers got off to a good start, as they were able to win a thrilling opening match. After 5 bowlers rolled 10 frames each, Pitt-Bradford ended the match tied with Roberts Wesleyan at 728. The teams then met in a tiebreaking mini-match, as they played a 5-frame Baker bowling matchup. The Panthers were able to emerge victorious, as they outscored their opponents 86-77 to start the day 1-0. Brookelyn Garvey led the Panthers with a 166, while Sarah Newland was just behind her at 166.

The Panthers were able to improve their score as the day went on, but were unable to keep up with their opponents who won the final three matches. Pitt-Bradford took on Mercyhurst in their second match of the day, falling to the Lakers 775-856. Freshman Erin Wales stepped up and posted a 190 to lead the Panthers. Newland finished at 174, while Garvey bowled a 168. 

The third match of the day sat the Panthers take on AMCC foe Hilbert. Pitt-Bradford posted another decent score in the match, but it was not enough as the Hawks won 796-767. Senior leadoff bowler Ekaterina Wilson led the Panthers with her best round of the day at 179. Newland continued her steady play in the fourth position, bowling a 171.

After a bye in the 4th session, the Panthers finished their day with a matchup against Bryant. Pitt-Bradford bowled their best game of the day, but they could not catch the Bulldogs, who won the match 889-856. Newland had her best game of the day, as she posted a score of 209. Garvey was the Panthers 2nd best bowler, finishing at 172, while Wales and Olivia Shultz both bowled to a score of 161.

Sarah Newland finished the day as Pitt-Bradford's most consistent bowler. She averaged a score of 179.80, putting her in 18th place. Brookelyn Garvey was 4 spots behind her in 22nd, with an average of 179.80. Erin Wales made the top 30 with an average of 156.80, and Ekaterina Wilson finished in 36th at 143.75 over 4 matches. Olivia Shultz and Alexis Whitfield bowled in 3 matches each, posting averages of 131 and 125.67 respectively.

The Panthers will be back in action tomorrow for the second day of the event. The day will begin at 9:00 a.m. with 4 Baker matches, before concluding with placement rounds.