Women split conference games; fourth in RSC East
Finish season with majority home games
January 22, 2019
The women’s basketball team outscored Brescia University in each of the first three quarters of their matchup in Owensboro, Kentucky last Thursday. A late comeback by the Bearcats in the final ten minutes, however, is what led to the 80-80 tie at the end of regulation.
The Pioneers held a 13-point lead after the third quarter, but the Bearcats put up 30 points in the last ten minutes that ended up putting Point Park down by three with only 0.3 seconds remaining in the game.
That’s when sophomore guard Michelle Burns came up with one of the biggest moments of her career thus far: a game-tying three-pointer that sent the game to overtime.
Point Park’s defense came back big in the extra period, holding the Bearcats to just two points, and solidifying the win 88-82 in favor of the Pioneers.
Burns’s tying 3-pointer finalized a perfect seven for seven for her from beyond the arc. This, along with going six for six from the foul line, led to a career-high 31 points, surpassing her previous 28.
She was not the only one setting personal records though.
Senior captain Kaitlyn Smith also set a new career-high with 25 points on the night, eclipsing her previous record of 23.
Senior Sam Weir posted another double-double, contributing 19 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks against the Bearcats. This was Weir’s sixth double-double in nine games.
Following an 88-point output, the Pioneers traveled to New Albany, Indiana for another River States Conference (RSC) matchup against Indiana University (IU) Southeast.
Point Park found itself without Weir again this season, but this time due to injury.
Despite being down a key player, the Pioneers managed to stay within two points at the end of the half, but a run by the Grenadiers late in the third and into the fourth put IU Southeast on top 79-67 by the end of the game.
Point Park had three big contributors in double digits: Burns with 17 points, Smith with 14 and sophomore forward Abbey Davis with 12.
Midway through the third, Davis hit two 3-pointers to lead to a 51-51 tie before the Grenadiers eventually pulled away.
IU Southeast pulled 61 rebounds, compared to Point Park’s 36, which included 20 offensive rebounds that turned into 21 second-chance points.
The Pioneers were able to force 15 turnovers, but it was overall shooting that resulted in a Grenadiers win.
Point Park remains in Pittsburgh for the next three games, all of which are against RSC opponents.
The first of these comes Thursday when the Pioneers host the Asbury Eagles, who lost against Point Park last year 90-51.
Two days later, Point Park will take on the Alice Lloyd Eagles at CCAC – Allegheny. The Eagles split two close games with the Pioneers last season, including sending Point Park out of the RSC Tournament after an overtime win.
To finish the trifecta, Point Park will remain in Pittsburgh, but as the visiting team when they travel to Carlow for a conference rivalry game on Tuesday night.
