HOLLAND, Mich. – The Pitt-Bradford women's basketball team suffered a 75-66 defeat to Otterbein University in the Consolation Game of the Hope College Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday.
Despite only leading after the opening shot, Pitt-Bradford (1-2) put forth a strong effort against a tough Otterbein (1-1) squad.
Senior Alicia Kimmel had a solid outing on the court, finishing with 15 points and seven rebounds. Freshman Ali Renfrette continues to make her presence known in the early goings of the season. She registered 14 points, five rebounds and two assists. Sophomore Kaserra Owens worked her way to 13 points, including 4-for-4 from the stripe.
Rinfrette grabbed the first bucket of the contest, giving the Panthers a brief lead. Otterbein then built a comfortable lead of its own, but Pitt-Bradford began trading buckets with the Cardinals and didn't allow its deficit to get out of control.
Otterbein entered halftime leading the Panthers by 10 points, 40-30. Pitt-Bradford shot 37.5 percent from the field in the first period and went 6-of-10 from the line.
The deficit for the Panthers fluctuated in the second half, with Pitt-Bradford continuing to swap buckets for the duration of the game. Entering the final minute of play, the Panthers had cut Otterbein's lead to six points.
Kimmel sank a jump shot in the paint with 42 seconds remaining to cut the Cardinals' lead to four. Fouls by Rinfrette and sophomore Darien Lantz gave Otterbein several free points in the closing seconds to keep the Panthers from claiming a comeback victory.
"This was a tough loss because we dug ourselves a big hole against a good Otterbein team," said head coach Patrick Daniel. "In the end, we just could not come all the way back. I loved how we fought and never quit. That will help us moving forward in our season.
The Lady Panthers travel to face Houghton College on Tuesday, Nov. 25, at 8 p.m. in the final game before the Thanksgiving holiday.