The Pitt-Bradford women's basketball team closed out the first half of its schedule Monday night with a 46-44 loss to Susquehanna.

The Panthers, playing for the first time in more than a week, struggled from the floor, hitting a season-worst 27 percent of their attempts.

Following a season-long trend, Pitt-Bradford fell behind by double-digits early as Susquehanna raced out to a 13-2 lead in the opening five minutes. The Panthers fought back, closing the gap to three at 24-21 on Alicia Kimmel's jumper with 2:40 left in the half, but the Crusaders scored the final four points of the period to lead 28-21 at the break.

Susquehanna hit a three-pointer early in the second half to stretch its lead back to 10 and Pitt-Bradford would spend the rest of the time playing catch-up. Abby Brate's layup with 11:57 remaining capped a 9-0 Panther run, trimming the lead to three at 35-32. The Crusaders answered with three consecutive baskets to go up 41-32.

Pitt-Bradford rallied once again, pulling within two at 43-41 on Kimmel's free throw. Moments later, Gina Palazzi scored in the paint to extend the lead to four, but Kimmel responded with a three-pointer to make it 45-44 with 1:49 remaining.

The two teams traded turnovers and after a missed three-pointer by the Crusaders, the Panthers fumbled away an opportunity to go ahead for the first time all game, committing their second turnover in as many possessions.

Susquehanna nearly lost the game at the line, missing 4-5 attempts in the final 30 seconds. Jonaida Williams hit the second of her two free throws with six seconds left to make 46-44, and Allison Osborne's three-pointer at the horn was off the mark.

Pitt-Bradford was 16-59 from the field overall and just 3-12 from long-range. The Panthers scored 24 points off 26 Susquehanna turnovers and were outrebounded by five. The Crusaders connected on 42 percent of their attempts, but were dismal from the line, going 3-10.

Kimmel led the Panthers with 14 points and eight rebounds, and Geena Sneeringer added 12 points. Brate chipped in with nine points, six rebounds, and three assists.

Pitt-Bradford falls to 3-4 on the season and returns to action Sunday, Dec. 30, when it travels to Nazareth.