The women’s basketball team concluded their four-game road trip with two exciting contests last week.
On Thursday, January 11, they traveled to Indiana to take on Oakland City. The Mighty Oaks entered the matchup on top of the RSC West at 5-0 in conference play. The Pioneers could not break the Mighty Oaks, falling to Oakland City 72-66.
Oakland City kicked off the game with intensity by racking up ten points within the first three minutes. The Mighty Oaks maintained dominance and managed a ten points lead over the Pioneers. The first quarter concluded with a three-pointer from Gillian Piccolino to make the score 22-15.
A strong second quarter from Point Park resulted in a moment of redemption for the Pioneers, as they took the lead for the first time with 3:53 left in the half. Guard Emma Pavelek contributed nine points in the quarter and forward Gabriella Legister went 100% from the field, scoring seven points.
The Pioneers overcame their deficit but could not bolster their lead, ending the half closely trailing 37-36.
Point Park regained the lead several times throughout the third quarter, but the Mighty Oaks repeatedly responded with impressive shots in the paint to stay in the game. The Pioneers seemed to lose control in the fourth quarter, going scoreless for over four minutes. In the final ten minutes, they went 4-20 from the field and 0-7 from the three-point line.
The Pioneers accumulated only nine total points in the fourth, as Oakland City held down the fort to capture the win and break Point Park’s seven-game win streak. Gabriella Legister finished with a double-double as the leading scorer of the night with 20 points and 10 rebounds.
Point Park wrapped up their road trip in Kentucky, facing Brescia on Saturday, January 13. Brescia is still winless in the RSC after the Pioneers brought home the 69-60 win.
The Pioneers got on the board quickly and established a huge lead in the first quarter at 29-11. Legister contributed 11 points and a block in the quarter.
The women increased their lead in the second quarter, towering 20 points over the Bearcats.
Point Park dominated the game, maintaining their lead for the entirety of the game. Point Park shot 42.6% from the field, staggereding over Brescia’s 33.3 FG%. Brescia made a strong attempt in the fourth quarter and decreased the lead to finish only nine points behind the Pioneers.
Legister concluded the game with another dazzling performance, recording a double-double with 21 points, 14 rebounds, and two blocks. Piccolino contributed 17 points, a steal, and a block. Aichata Ballo continues to be a star on defense with three steals and a block.
Point Park is now 5-2 in the RSC, making them second in the RSC East division behind the undefeated Rio Grande.
Point Park returns home on Saturday, Jan. 30 to take on Indiana East at 1 p.m. The university will provide shuttle transportation for students that wish to attend. Visit @pointparksports for more information.
