The Pioneers dropped two crucial River States Conference (RSC) games this weekend at home against Indiana University East (IU East) on Friday and against Ohio Christian University Saturday on Senior Day.

“We were outcoached, outplayed and outhustled right from the tip,” head coach Tony Grenek said. “I thought we came out nervous.”

Point Park wanted to wave the white flag Friday night as the game got out of hand early. It was all IU East from the moment the referee tossed the ball up at center court.

Ja’Nia McPhatter scored the first four points of the game, but IU East then went on a 21-4 run to end the first quarter.

The second quarter started out the same way, with Point Park scoring the first four points. The IU East Red Wolves began to bring a full court press, and the Pioneers turned the ball over on their own side of the court, which resulted in a couple of IU East buckets.

The Pioneers defense, which has been the backbone of this team all season long, could not stop the fluid ball movement of the Red Wolves’ offense. IU East ate up the majority of the time on the shot clock and made extra passes, resulting in open and high percentage shots.

After the half, IU East shot 19 for 31 from the field, compared to Point Park’s 7 for 26. The Red Wolves took to the locker room with confidence and a 42-21 lead.

The next two quarters were not prettier.

With 90 seconds into the second half, Shaniya Rivers fouled Kristen Miller of IU East from behind the arc. Miller made the 3-pointer and ensuing free throw, completing the four point play. Point Park fouled IU East three times from behind the 3-point line, which helped IU East outscore them in the third, 25-8 to go up 67-29.

To start the fourth, players from both sides who do not get as much playing time made their way into the game. Point Park outscored IU East in the fourth, 21-6, but the damage had already been done, and the Pioneers lost 73-50.

“We didn’t show up to play tonight,” freshman guard Marissa Rose said. “We have to come more focused.”

IU East finished the game, shooting 50 percent from the field, as the Pioneers shot 29 percent. Junior guard Maryssa Agurs led the Pioneers in scoring with 13 points. McPhatter finished with 10 points and four rebounds. They were the only Pioneers to hit double figures on the scorecard.

Saturday afternoon was Senior Day at CCAC South in West Mifflin, Pa. Seniors McPhatter, Celina DiPietro, Devon Larkin and Carly Forse were recognized before the game.

“It was really exciting,” DiPietro said of her Senior Day experience. “I had a lot of energy and having all my family here meant a lot to me.”

Not only was it Senior Day, it was a grudge match. The Pioneers lost at Ohio Christian by four points in double overtime  back on Jan. 14.

It was a hard-fought first quarter by both teams, but the Ohio Christian Trailblazers had a two point advantage after the first ten minutes.

In a slow-paced game, the teams combined for just 15 points in the second quarter. Point Park only put up seven of those points. The Pioneers stared at a three point deficit at halftime, 27-24.

In a game of runs and low scoring, it was 38-37 after the third in favor of the Traiblazers. In the last ten minutes, the Trailblazers put up 20 points and were able to execute on their offensive possessions. The story was not the same for the Pioneers, as their shots would not fall.

Despite a strong defensive effort, the Pioneers dropped their seventh conference loss of the year, 58-53.

“We just have to let it go,” Assistant Coach April Austin said. “We lost. We’ve got to move onto the next opponent.”

McPhatter led all Pioneers in scoring with 18 and also added 8 rebounds. Agurs put up 12 but she struggled as she only shot 4 of 14 from the floor. DiPietro was 4 for 8 from the field and added 10 points and five steals.

This weekend ended the 2016-17 home season for Point Park with a 9-4 record. The Pioneers currently stand at 17-10 overall, and 7-7 in RSC play.

After facing Carlow University Tuesday, the team will wrap up the regular season at Rio Grande and West Virginia Tech the following weekend in a pair of RSC games.