Buffalo, N.Y. – The Pitt-Bradford women's basketball team struggled to find consistency defensively in a 63-56 defeat to D'Youville on Saturday, Jan. 4. The Panthers had two players reach double figures in scoring, but it wasn't enough as the Spartans used a strong offensive attack to steal the win.
The Panthers were led in scoring by freshman Kaserra Owens. Owens finished the game with 13 points, five rebounds and two assists. Sophomore Abby Brate was close behind with 12 points, nine rebounds and three assists, missing the double-double by just one rebound.
Pitt-Bradford (6-4, 2-1) lacked the defensive play necessary to allow it a chance to win the game. Defensive struggles have plagued the Panthers in their last three contests, and as a result, they have lost each game.
The Spartans opened the contest on a 5-0 run before the Panthers found the scoreboard on a quick layup by junior Alicia Kimmel.
Both teams had little trouble scoring from that point on, but the lack of defense at the other end by Pitt-Bradford gave D'Youville the chance to hold onto the lead for the duration of the first half.
The Panthers were able to cut the deficit to within two points on two occasions but couldn't find the edge necessary to take control of the game.
The two teams headed to the locker room at the break with D'Youville holding a 26-22 lead. The Panthers would have possession of the ball to begin the second half.
Pitt-Bradford finished the first twenty minutes shooting 22.6 percent from the field and 20 percent from behind the arc. The Panthers were 7-of-10 from the free throw line.
The Spartans ended the half shooting 30.8 percent from the floor and 66.7 from the three-point line. They were 8-of-10 from the charity stripe.
D'Youville (5-6, 3-1) began the second half in similar fashion to how it ended the first half. The Spartans gained possession of the ball on Pitt-Bradford turnover but were unable to finish at the basket to add to its lead.
Owens sunk a three point shot to cut the deficit to just one point with 18 minutes left to play in the game. But the defensive inconsistencies continued for the Panthers.
With 13:12 remaining in the contest, the Spartans were holding on to a 10-point lead when the Panthers found a little more offensive firepower in their arsenal.
Pitt-Bradford found a way to once again cut the deficit to one point with the clock showing 8:24 left to play. At that point, the game became a chess match, with both teams taking turns landing the ball in the basket.
With 1:30 remaining, the wheels began to fall off for the Panthers and several missed shots allowed the Spartans to build another lead very late in the game and come away with the win.
"This game was a continuation of the last two games where we shoot the ball very poorly, and don't play the type of defense that makes it difficult for other teams to score," said head coach Patrick Daniel. "I believe in this team, but they have to understand we need to make some big corrections if we are going to compete and give ourselves the opportunity to win games."
The Panthers finished their afternoon shooting 30.8 percent from the floor and 18.2 percent from behind the three-point line. They were 14-of-22 from the free throw line.
D'Youville shot 36.8 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from behind the arc. The Spartans were 16-of-26 from the free throw line.
Pitt-Bradford takes the court again on Wednesday, Jan. 8, when it hosts Penn State Behrend at the KOA Arena for an 8 p.m. tipoff.