Senior forward Ja’Nia McPhatter scored her 1,000th career point as a Pioneer Saturday afternoon in a loss at Indiana University Southeast.

The New Castle, Pa. native became the 14th player in the 37 year history of the program to accomplish the feat.

Senior Carly Forse also surpassed 1,000 points earlier this season, giving Point Park its first pair of teammates in 23 years to do so. It was a milestone that had not been accomplished in the same year since Lara Lang and Dorethia Jackson in 1994.

“It’s a great feeling,” McPhatter said. “It took a lot to come back and get to that point. I’m proud of myself and proud everyone who was is my corner to help me achieve that goal.”

McPhatter served as an assistant coach to head coach Tony Grenek last season when she was out with a knee injury.

Grenek has been alongside McPhatter every step of the way. From being one of the best overall individual players in the conference to being set back because of injuries, Grenek has high praise for his starting forward.

“What a tremendous accomplishment,” Grenek said. “She’s basically done it in an injury filled career in three years. It’s a complete warrior effort.”

While McPhatter was etching her name into the history books, the Pioneers were struggling offensively.

Point Park could not put the ball in the basket. They shot nine of 34 from the field in the first 20 minutes, good for 26 percent.  At the half, the Pioneers only faced a 33-25 deficit despite shooting cold.

The script was flipped in the next 20 minutes as the Pioneers began nailing shots while IU Southeast was coming up empty-handed possession after possession.

With a big offensive third quarter, Point Park tied the game at 41 headed into the fourth.

The Pioneers took a 49-44 lead with five minutes remaining in the game, but IU Southeast went on a 9-1 run in the next four minutes to jump in front.

The game came down to free throws. IU Southeast had a 55-54 lead with 12 seconds remaining and took to the free throw line for two shots. Both free throws were missed and the Pioneers had an opportunity to win the game with one final shot.

After a timeout, Point Park held the ball for the last shot. As the game clock expired, senior guard Celina DiPietro’s shot went up, hit the basket, but rimmed out.

The Pioneers suffered their fourth conference loss of the year. It was the first time they lost all season when holding their opponents under 60 points. They had won the previous 12.

“We work really hard on defense,” said junior guard Shaniya Rivers. “We take pride in that.”

Both teams shot poorly from the line. Point Park shot 8-17, and IU Southeast was 12-21 from the charity stripe.

On Friday night, Point Park played in Brescia for a conference matchup. While the Pioneers struggled to score once again, the defense pushed them to victory. In the second quarter, Brescia did not make a single field goal, and the top ranked defense in the River States Conference (RSC) held the Bearcats to five points.

“We’re just not a very strong offensive team,” Grenek said. “We need those efforts on defense to be able to pull these games out.”

It was a low scoring affair as neither team shot very well. Point Park shot 27 percent from the field, while Brescia shot 22 percent.

Point Park had a lead as high as 17 with seven minutes left in the game, 51-34. The Bearcats ended the game on a 6-0 run in the final minute but the Pioneers came away with the win, 56-47.

McPhatter was the only Pioneer in double figures with 18. Rivers contributed nine points and seven rebounds. Baylee Buleca was a workhorse down low pulling in 15 rebounds to go along with her eight points.

After being on the road the past two weekends, Point Park looks forward to playing in front of a home crowd this weekend. The Pioneers are 8-6 on the road this season, but have posted an 8-1 home record.

“We’ve been on the road so long and I think being at home will give us a little extra motivation and a little extra focus to have our fans watching,” DiPietro said.

Point Park will host Asbury and Alice Lloyd this weekend for two more RSC matchups at CCAC South in West Mifflin, Pa.