The Pitt-Bradford women's basketball team scored early and often in a strong effort, both offensively and defensively, to defeat the visiting Mount Aloysius Mounties 66-45 on Saturday, Feb. 15. In honor of Senior Day, Geena Sneeringer was honored in pre-game for her efforts in a Panther uniform the past two seasons.

Sophomore Madison Krebs led the charge with 14 points and six rebounds from her low-post position. Sneeringer was just behind with 13 points and four rebounds. Junior Alicia Kimmel rounded out the top scorers with 12 points, five rebounds and two assists.

Pitt-Bradford (14-9, 10-6) opened the scoring with a Brittany Watts free throw to put the Panthers on the board seconds into the action. From there, the Panthers made it 12-0 game before the Mounties were finally able to squeak their way into the scoring column. The Panthers then hit another quick four-point run thanks to back-to-back layups from Kimmel and Krebs.

The Mounties made an effort to catch up, but each time they did, the Panthers were there to sink another bucket and continuously extend their lead.

More than halfway through the first period, Pitt-Bradford was in control of a 19-7 advantage. The Mounties offense stalled and the Panthers continued their successful attack. A jump shot from freshman Kaserra Owens made it a 23-11 game with six minutes to go.

The points kept coming for Pitt-Bradford and with one minute to go, Sneeringer took one all the way, banking it in off the glass and sending the Panthers into the locker room with a 33-18 lead.

Pitt-Bradford shot 46.4 percent during the first half and did not connect on a triple in two attempts. The Panthers were seven of 10 at the line.

The Mounties finished the first half shooting just 18.2 percent from the field, including 13.3 percent from three. They were a perfect four of four at the line.

Mount Aloysius (13-9, 11-5) found a way to produce the first points of the second half off an Alexis Restori layup, but the success would be short-lived.

The Panthers offense continued to score points and the defense had little trouble stopping the Mounties' attack. The Panthers held an 18-point advantage with 11:56 to play and showed no signs of slowing.

The lead reached 20 points with 11:01 to go and stayed in the 20-point range for the remainder of the contest, reaching as high as 23 points with 2:16 left in the game.

Freshman Alex Vinelli went to the line with 20 seconds showing on the clock and sank her first shot to bring the game to its final score, capping off a spectacular afternoon on the floor for the Panthers.

"Great win tonight," said head coach Patrick Daniel. "This was the best defensive effort we have shown all year. I am proud of the team and the way we came together to beat a good Mount Aloysius team. Today was Geena's day and I am extremely happy with how she played and how the team played for our senior."

For the game, the Panthers shot 40.7 percent and did not attempt a triple in the second half. They were 22 of 31 from the line.

Mount Aloysius shot just 24.6 percent from the field, including 17.4 percent from behind the arc. The Mounties were 11 of 14 from the line.

Pitt-Bradford returns to the court for its final week of the regular season beginning with a trip to Medaille on Wednesday, Feb. 19. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m.