Despite a slow start, the Pitt-Bradford women's basketball came alive late in the first half to defeat the visiting Hilbert Hawks 66-52 on Wednesday, Feb. 12. The Panthers struggled to find consistency on offense during the opening minutes of play, but found their rhythm in time to carry a 31-22 lead into the break.

Sophomore Madison Krebs exploded in the paint for 20 points and seven rebounds. Freshman Brittany Watts was the next leading scorer with 13 points, eight rebounds and one assist. Junior Alicia Kimmel rounded out the top performers with 12 points, six rebounds and one assist.

Pitt-Bradford (13-9, 9-6) survived its sluggish start that saw the Hawks take a 7-5 lead after four minutes of play. The Panthers quickly found their surge offensively to overtake that lead at the 10:58 mark of the first half.

It was Krebs who started the scoring spree for the Panthers with a shot off the glass. Moments later, it was Krebs again who found the net with another layup off a pass from junior Carly Dalton.

From that point on, Pitt-Bradford seemed to take control of the momentum and the lead. A jump shot by freshman Kaserra Owens extended the advantage to eight points with 4:37 left to play.

The lead quickly hit double digits on yet another layup from Krebs. Krebs seemed unstoppable at times in the paint with her strength being too much for the Hawks to handle. As the clock ticked under a minute to play, Hilbert's Amber Hay added a bucket to bring the score to its halftime total.

Pitt-Bradford shot 33.3 percent from the field in the first half and did not attempt a three. The Panthers were a perfect 3-of-3 from the line.

The Hawks shot 36 percent from the floor, including 37.5 percent from behind the arc. They were 1-of-2 from the line.

Hilbert (4-18, 2-13) did its best to get back in the game when the team hit the floor for the second half. Krebs layup barely 10 seconds into play was not the start the Hawks looked to bring to the court.

Hilbert was able to cut the deficit to four points after three minutes of action, but that would be as close as it would get for the remainder of the contest. Krebs went back-to-back on shots off the glass in the next two possessions to open up the edge for the Panthers.

It didn't take long for that lead to reach 15 points after Watts finished a shot at the charity stripe. The Panthers' advantage did not see single digits again for the remainder of the game. With 7:17 showing on the clock, Pitt-Bradford opened up a 20-point lead and showed no signs of slowing its game.

With the clock under a minute and the Panthers holding a commanding margin, it was Krebs who finished off the night for the home team with her last bucket in the paint to equal the final score.

Pitt-Bradford finished the game shooting 35.1 percent from the floor and did not attempt a three. The Panthers were 12-of-16 from the charity stripe.

Hilbert shot 36.4 percent from the field, including 33.3 percent from behind the arc. The Hawks were 8-of-10 from the line.

The Panthers return to the hardwood on Saturday, Feb. 15, as they host Senior Day. Geena Sneeringer, the team's lone senior, will be playing in her final contest in the KOA Arena. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m.