photo by Matt Nemeth
Freshman center Baylee Buleca wins an opening tip during a game against La Roche on Nov. 3. The Pioneers lost 77-47.
Sophomore center Sam Weir noticed that Concordia University was running a fast-paced offense, which meant her Point Park women’s basketball team would have to throw its playbook out the window and find ways to score.
This did not faze the Pioneers much as they defeated Concordia 122-93 Saturday setting a program record for most points in a single game in the process.
“It’s definitely an awesome feeling and it shows what a talented group we have to be able to put up that many points against a good basketball team,” Weir said.
This result as well as a 74-55 victory at Madonna University Friday after taking a five hour bus ride earlier Friday morning has the Pioneers at 3-0 to start the season for a second year in a row.
“It’s definitely difficult to take a five hour bus ride and play that same day and the next, but I think that just shows how focused and determined we are,” Weir said. “It may have looked easy, but it was hard playing against a new style. I think good teams find a way to adjust and get the job done.”
With the two victories, Point Park has amassed 16 consecutive regular season non-conference wins with its last non-conference loss coming Feb. 16 2013 against West Virginia Tech.
Weir, who was named Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (KIAC) Player of the Week for her opening game efforts against West Virginia Tech, had 22 points, 13 assists and five blocks in the victory against Concordia. In her sophomore season, Weir has 107 career blocks, good for fifth all-time in program history and three behind Annette Etzel for fourth place.
Sophomore guard Kelly Johnson was a standout against Madonna with her 27 points and five steals in 23 minutes of play.
Point Park quickly grabbed an advantage on Madonna with Johnson scoring five of the first six baskets on lay-ups. The Pioneers had a 33-7 lead with 7:24 remaining in the first half.
“We were fortunate to have a good start,” coach Tony Grenek said. “Offensively, we got some easy baskets, which built our confidence. Defensively, our zone created some problems for them, and we rebounded the basketball well.”
Point Park shot 50 percent from the field in the first half, 11 players scored. Ja’Nia McPhatter had nine points while Natasha Moss had eight points and seven rebounds. Weir had eight points and seven rebounds.
In the game against Concordia, all five starters reached double figures. In addition to Weir’s 22, Kayla Kiriau had 19 points and seven rebounds, McPhatter had 17 points and seven rebounds, Carly Forse had 15 points and 10 rebounds and Johnson had 13 points and eight assists. In addition, Alexis Lyers matched a career high with nine points and Alexa Xenakis also had nine points. Collectively, Point Park had 27 assists for the game and shot 49.5 percent.
Point Park has three games for this upcoming week starting with a game Wednesday at home against Penn State University Fayette at 5:30 p.m. The Pioneers will face the University of Pittsburgh Johnstown Friday at 7:30 p.m. before playing Davis & Elkins College (W.Va.) Saturday at 4 p.m. Both opponents are NCAA Division II.
Despite a strong start to the season, Weir believes there is room for improvement.
“I think that we just need to keep focused and really work on our defense,” Weir said. “We put up big numbers, but we need to improve on keeping them under 60 points, which is always [Coach Grenek’s] goal for us.”
