Westerville, Ohio – The Pitt-Bradford women's basketball struggled to find consistency on defense, and as a result, dropped its final game of the Otterbein Smokey Ballenger Classic 84-71 to Otterbein University on Sunday, Dec. 29.

Despite the loss, Pitt-Bradford had three players score in double figures. Junior Alicia Kimmel led all Panthers with 19 points, six rebounds and one assist. Sophomores Alicia Osborne and Abby Brate each totaled 17 points. Osborne tacked on five rebounds, while Brate added three rebounds and five assists.

Pitt-Bradford (6-3, 2-0) endured consecutive losses for just the first time this season. The Panthers had trouble slowing the Otterbein attack early, and as a result, found themselves in a hole to start the game.

Trailing by nine at the 15-minute mark, Pitt-Bradford cut the deficit to seven with just under five minutes to play.

Despite the Panthers attempt at getting back in the contest before halftime, defensive struggles continued and Pitt-Bradford trailed 42-33 heading into the break.

Otterbein finished the first 20 minutes shooting 66.7 percent from the floor, including 40 percent from behind the arc. The Cardinals were 4-of-8 from the free throw line.

Pitt-Bradford shot just 40.6 percent from the field, including 25 percent from behind the three-point line. The Panthers finished the first half 5-of-6 from the free throw line.

Otterbein (5-6, 1-3) hit the court running to begin the second period, picking up where it left off in the first half. The Cardinals continued their relentless attack on the Panthers' defense, improving their lead to 50-38 just minutes into the second period.

With 9:14 showing on the clock, Pitt-Bradford managed to cut the deficit to a game-low three points, trailing 65-62. As much as the offense continued to press the Cardinals' defense, it was the Panthers' defense that could not find an answer for Otterbein's attack.

As Otterbein's lead moved back to a 10-point advantage, the two teams began scoring at will on one another.

The game came to an end in much of the same way it began. The Panthers' defensive struggle proved to be its own demise; the team hopes to work out its issues moving forward as it continues conference play.

"It's very disappointing that we have played poor defense the last two games," said head coach Patrick Daniel. "I have to do a better job of getting our ladies to understand that defense is the way we will have the opportunity to be successful going forward. We will learn from this and be ready for conference play."

The Panthers finished the game shooting 37.1 percent from the floor and 21.7 percent from behind the arc. They continued their strong run at the line, going 14-of-18 during the contest.

Otterbein shot 61.4 percent from the field and 40 percent from the three-point line. The Cardinals were 10-of-19 from the charity stripe.

With the Otterbein Smokey Ballenger Classic coming to an end, Pitt-Bradford will gear up for its return to conference play as it prepares to face D'Youville on Saturday, Jan. 4, at 3 p.m.