The Buzzer Beater: Men’s and women’s basketball had some fun this weekend

Written By Colton DeBiase, Sports Columnist

Both Point Park men’s and women’s basketball had some remarkable moments over the weekend.

The reserve and varsity team for the men had an inter-squad game with the reserve team facing each other; the varsity team did the same. Saturday was supposed to be the home opener for the men’s team against Alice Lloyd College, but the game had to get postponed; that is why the two inter-squad games were played. The Pioneers looked pretty good, and I was impressed with how everyone played. The Pioneers do have a tough stretch this season.

Along with their conference games, the Pioneers have three non-conference games against Division 1 opponents: Robert Morris, Akron and Kent State. Those three games are going to be challenging as it is. The men will have the chance to get back on track after starting the season 0-1 with a non-conference game on Friday against Bryant & Stratton- Buffalo. The first conference game for the Pioneers will be Dec. 1 against IU East, a team receiving national votes in the NAIA.

Moving over to the women, they had a thrilling week, holding on against Bryant & Stratton-Rochester for a 94-91 overtime win. The women also made history by playing the first-ever intercollegiate basketball game on Point Park’s campus. The Pioneers will be playing at the Student Center Gym instead of CCAC Allegheny for the time being. The Pioneers hit two big threes to keep the game alive. 

The first was around 35 seconds left in the 4th when Taylor Kirschner hit a game-tying three that sent it to overtime. Then in overtime, with Point Park down by 4, Lexi Petit drilled a three with 24.8 left to get the Pioneers within one. Then the Pioneers got a colossal turnover when Kirshner picked off the rebound, tried to get it over to Jordan Yaniga, who was fouled, then Yaniga got the two free-throw shots down, and the Pioneers were able to hold on for the win. 

I was on the call for the game on the Point Park Sports Network, and it was one of the more thrilling games I have seen in my three years at Point Park. The game is an example of how the women could persevere and continue the fight when Rochester had their chances to put the game away. 

I am very excited to see how the season will play out for both the men and the women, with hopefully more thrilling moments along the way as we all try to challenge through the pandemic.