Ja'Nia McPhatter drives past Rio Grande's Alexis Payne in Friday's win at CCAC-South Gym. (Sam Robinson).

Box Score

WEST MIFFLIN, Pa. -- Point Park University women's basketball held off University of Rio Grande for a 68-62 victory in the River States Conference opener for both teams Friday night at CCAC-South Gym.

Point Park (10-1, 1-0 RSC) led by double digits at the end of the first, second and third quarters and withstood a final gasp for the RedStorm (4-5, 0-1 RSC) on its way to victory.

Maryssa Agurs had season highs of 20 points, nine rebounds and four assists, which was a big reason why Point Park was ahead, 56-44 heading into the fourth quarter.

Although Rio Grande's Sharday Baines clawed her team back to within 58-53 in the fourth quarter, Point Park had the final push to the finish. Baines did her best, though, with 17 of her team-high 20 points and all five of her made 3-pointers after halftime.

But Point Park stayed in front thanks to three starters in double figures, which included Carly Forse with 17 points and eight rebounds and Ja'Nia McPhatter continuing to take on her old form with 15 points, five rebounds, five steals and three blocks.

After Rio Grande closed to within 58-53, Forse came up with a big basket for Point Park at the other end. Then McPhatter, who was 6 for 6 from the foul line, hit some free throws to regain a double-digit lead at 65-55 with 1:20 to go.

Baines had one last trey in her to give Rio Grande a fighting chance down 65-58 with one minute to go, but McPhatter made a couple more free throws to ice it.

Point Park gets right back into action Saturday with another RSC home game versus WVU Tech. Tipoff is 12 p.m. at CCAC-South Gym. Watch Live on the Point Park Sports Network on Stretch Internet. Subscribe for HD video streaming of Pioneers basketball http://portal.stretchinternet.com/PPU.

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