Panthers Nip Lions in Final Seconds

BRADFORD, Pa. – The Pitt-Bradford women's basketball team remains in second place in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) after a 69-66 victory over Penn State Behrend on Wednesday night at the KOA Arena.

In a battle of the two teams battling for one of the top playoff spots, the Panthers (13-5, 9-2 AMCC) managed the season sweep of the Lions (9-10, 7-5 AMCC) thanks to 21 points by Ali Rinfrette and the game-winning three-point play by Kaseera Owens with two seconds left in the game.

Erika Woll (Erie, PA/Mercyhurst) had a career night in points and field-goals made, going 8-for-15 from the field for a best 21 points.  Fontaine Glenn (West Sunbury, PA/Moniteau) added a career-high 11 rebounds and eight points, while Dani Reinwald (Clymer, NY/Clymer) posted another double-double (15 pts, 10 reb).

In pure championship style, the game saw 14 lead changes, seven ties and a winner determined in the final seconds. Neither team held a lead larger than six points in a tightly contest between two teams who have recorded five or more conference wins in the month of January.

After Pitt-Bradford took a six-point lead early in the first quarter, Behrend tied it up at 12-all using a 5-0 run for a quick 17-12 edge 55 seconds into the second period. By halftime, the Lions held a one-point lead with a Rachael Razzano (New Castle, PA/New Castle) three-pointer as the final Behrend field goal to make it 32-31.

The sea-saw fight continued for the remaining two quarters. The Panthers got back-to-back layups by Abby Brate to keep a three-point lead to start the fourth quarter. Reinwald's layup at 5:37 tied the game for the last time at 60-all. Rinfrette made her final pair of field goals to push the lead to 66-63, however, Ali Goetz (Mars, PA/Mars) drained her only triple of the night to knot at 66-all.

On Pitt-Bradford's final possession, Owens got fouled on her the made jump shot and made the ensuing free throw with two seconds left to make it 69-66. The Lions were fouled right away to miss the chance at tie it up with a shot from behind the arc.

The team shot an identical 40.6 percent from the floor, while Behrend held a slight 42-37 margin on the boards.

The Lions return to action on Saturday against Penn State Altoona. Game time is 4 p.m.