Pittsburgh, Pa. -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford women's basketball team traveled to Pittsburgh on Saturday for a matchup with 1st-place LaRoche. The Panthers were unable to get their offense started, losing to the Redhawks 85-40.
The Panthers were able to score early in the game, as Trinity Lockwood-Morris made two baskets on the Panthers' first two possessions, but they were followed by a three-minute scoreless stretch, that saw the hosts score 9 unanswered. Daizjah Brown made a jump shot to slow the run, but La Roche was able to push their lead to 7 points with 4 minutes left in the first quarter. Four quick points from McKenna Kelly started a Panther run that would see them cut the lead to two. Down 16-10, the Panthers outscored LaRoche 6-2 over the final 3 minutes of the quarter. Abigail Goss made a pair of layups and Alexa Ackerman hit a jump shot to send the game to the 2nd quarter with the Panthers trailing 16-18.
Kelly scored 3 early points in the 2nd, but the Panthers were unable to add to it, allowing LaRoche to get their advantage into double digits. Summer Anderson and Lauryn Moore each made layups in the quarter, but a three from the hosts saw the deficit move to 16 points in the final minute of the half. In the final seconds, Kelly was able to convert a three-point play, putting the Panthers down 27-40 at the break.
Things did not improve for the Panthers as the game restarted in the 3rd, as they were outscored 26-5. The Redhawks were able to score the first six points of the half before Ashley Hall got the Panthers on the board with a layup after nearly 3 minutes of action. Her basket was the last field goal the Panthers would score for the rest of the quarter, as they were held to a pair of Goss free throws and one from Katie Woolson.
Trailing 66-32 heading into the final quarter, the Panthers saw the deficit grow early, as LaRoche scored the first 10 points of the period. Hall made a layup on a second chance opportunity with 6 minutes to go, but her basket was followed by seven straight from the Redhawks. Woolson and Kelly each made field goals in the last two minutes to close the game.
McKenna Kelly led the Panthers with 12 points. She also had 5 rebounds. Ashley Hall was able to pull in 11 rebounds in the game and also finished with 4 steals. Abigail Goss added 7 points and 5 rebounds in the loss.
The Panthers fall to 3-15 on the season with a 1-7 record in conference play. They will return to action on Wednesday as they hit the road trying to pick up their second win of the season over Alfred State. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
