One week after surpassing 1,000 career points, senior Ja’Nia McPhatter had a career-high game that helped lift Point Park to a much-needed conference win Saturday afternoon after losing the previous night.

Point Park had an 8-1 home record this season entering the weekend. The Pioneers returned home Friday evening for their first game at Community College of Allegheny County South (CCAC) since Jan. 7 to face Asbury.

It was a low scoring River States Conference (RSC) affair as neither team shot very well. Asbury got the upper hand early and jumped out to a 21-9 lead over the Pioneers.

In the second quarter, Point Park was able to hold Asbury to nine points and only faced a seven-point deficit at the half.

In the third, the Pioneers were able to outscore Asbury 13-11 and only trailed 41-36 with 10 minutes to play.

Asbury opened the fourth quarter with a 14-6 run in the first five minutes to go up 55-42. Point Park’s defense tightened up, and only allowed Asbury to make one basket in the last five minutes. The damage had been done, and Asbury held onto the win, 59-46.

It was the lowest point total this season for Point Park in a single game.

“A lot of teams in our situation want to fold up the season and look for Spring break,” said head coach Tony Grenek, “These kids aren’t that way. They’re always working hard and they’re always listening and trying to do their best.”

Baylee Buleca recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds to go along with four blocks. McPhatter added 12 points and the Pioneers shot 18-for-64 (28 percent) from the field for the entire game.

The script was flipped the very next day against Alice Lloyd College at home. McPhatter had one of the best games of her career. At halftime, the senior had 15 points and her team had a 31-25 lead.

McPhatter did not slow down going into the second half. She was scoring from long range, mid-range, and in the paint.

“She’s worked extremely hard all season to get where she’s at and it’s paying off,” assistant coach April Austin said.

Despite an impressive offensive showing, Alice Lloyd only trailed by six after the third quarter thanks to a 15-5 run, and the Eagles weren’t going away.

With 5:40 remaining in the game, they were able to tie it up at 59. The Pioneers were able to pull away slightly on the ensuing possessions, thanks to a McPhatter post move down low, a free throw from Maryssa Agurs and a mid-range jumper from Kaityln Smith.

That helped Point Park to a 76-68 conference victory, its ninth home win of the season.

“It’s a relief [to be at home],” said freshman guard Baylie Mook, who scored 12 points off the bench against Alice Lloyd. “I hate being on the road. It’s great to be home.”

McPhatter finished the game with a career-high 33 points, shooting 10-for-17 from the field and 4-for-7 from long range.

“I was feeling my shots and the ball was dropping,” McPhatter said. “Everyone likes to make shots. No one likes to miss and I’m just glad they were dropping for me tonight.”

Point Park is now 17-8 overall this season and 7-5 in the RSC despite starting out 5-1 in conference play. The Pioneers are off until Friday night when they will return home for a grudge match against No. 21 Indiana University East, and Saturday against Ohio Christian.