Westerville, Ohio – The Pitt-Bradford women's basketball team ended its six-game winning streak on Saturday evening, Dec. 28, falling 66-51 to Denison University in the opening round of the Otterbein Smokey Ballenger Classic.

Despite taking the loss, the Panthers had two players score in double figures during the contest. Sophomore point guard Abby Brate led the team with 15 points, four rebounds and one assist. Sophomore guard Allison Osborne was close behind with 10 points, two rebounds and one assist.

Pitt-Bradford (6-2, 2-0) fell behind early to start the game. Despite turnovers and a few missed shots, the Panthers were able to keep the score tied 15-15 with just over six minutes remaining in the first half.

After a missed jump shot by the Panthers' Kaserra Owens with 3:37 remaining, the Big Red took a 12-point lead on a fast-break layup by Denison's Aubrey Rogers.

Pitt-Bradford fought to stay in the game, but with 34 seconds remaining in the first half, the Big Red extended its lead to 32-19. The 13-point lead was the largest of the half for Denison, which it carried into the break.

The Panthers finished the first 20 minutes shooting just 24.1 percent from the floor, including 57.1 percent from behind the charity stripe. The Big Red closed out the first half hitting 50 percent of its shots, including 75 percent from the free throw line.

Denison (9-2, 2-1) hit the floor in the second half much like it left it at the end of the first half. The Big Red capitalized on two early turnovers by Pitt-Bradford and turned each into points. With 15:27 remaining in the game, Denison led 41-21, and the Panthers were searching for a way to get back in the contest.

Osborne drained a three-point shot with 2:30 remaining that cut Denison's lead to 13. The time left would allow the Panthers a chance at the comeback if they could find consistency on defense.

The Panthers found a rhythm late in the game offensively, but were unable to slow the attack by Denison, as the Big Red continued to add to its lead.

With 51 seconds remaining in regulation, Pitt-Bradford trailed 66-49 when Owens went 2-for-3 from the free throw line to give the game its final points.

"We didn't shoot the ball well tonight and a lot of credit goes to Denison," said head coach Patrick Daniel. "What is disappointing is our defensive effort was very poor. To allow a team to shoot 50 percent is not Pitt-Bradford basketball. We have to be a lot better defensively if we want to win ball games."    

Pitt-Bradford finished the contest shooting 26.7 percent from the floor, including 66.7 from the free throw line. Denison left the court shooting 50 percent from the field and 70.8 percent from behind the charity stripe.

The Panthers are back in action for the second and final round of the Classic tomorrow as they prepare to face tournament-host Otterbein University at 3 p.m.