PITTSBURGH -- Point Park University women's basketball notched another River States Conference home win on Sunday, a 77-69 victory over Brescia (Ky.) University.
The Pioneers (11-8, 6-3 RSC) made some big plays down the last stretch of the fourth quarter to secure their sixth victory in their last seven conference games. The win over Brescia (8-13, 4-5 RSC) capped off a 2-0 home weekend in RSC play.
Point Park's Sam Weir tallied a double-double of 18 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Pioneers. She had eight points and six rebounds during the third quarter to help Point Park build a 55-49 lead with 10 minutes left. Weir hit two jumpers to start the fourth quarter, and Point Park was up, 60-54.
But Brescia did not go away quietly, and the Bearcats battled back to take their first lead of the game at 63-62 with 5:54 left. That came after a 3-pointer by Cassidy Moss -- who led all scorers with 21 points -- and a fast-break layup by Jayde Robinson.
The lead was short-lived, however, as the Pioneers responded with a run of their, a 10-2 spurt. Kaitlyn Smith got the run going with a jumper followed by a breakaway basket by Shaniya Rivers. Then came three straight 3-pointers with Tyra James canning the first and Michelle Burns the next two.
Burns finished with 14 points and five assists. Maryssa Agurs tallied 15 points and seven assists. She scored 12 points in the first half as the Pioneers were up, 38-36, at the break.
Neither team shot the ball well at the beginning. Point Park started out 2 for 10, and Brescia 1 for 14 from the field. The Pioneers started to get some shots to fall early in the second quarter, and they built a 35-26 lead on two straight treys by Angelina Starr.
But Brescia made a run to close the half led by Moss, who had 14 points by halftime. Kelsey Kirkpatrick was the only other Brescia player in double digits with 15. For Point Park,
Shaniya Rivers contributed seven points and 3 for 3 from the field to go along with five rebounds and three assists. Baylee Buleca grabbed seven rebounds.
Point Park will play its next three games on the road, a stretch that begins Thursday at Asbury (Ky.) and Saturday at Alice Lloyd (Ky.). The Pioneers play at (RV) IU East on Jan. 30 to finish up the road swing before hosting Senior Day Feb. 3 versus Ohio Christian.
NOTES: Point Park is now 11-1 when holding its opponent under 70 points. All 11 of its wins have come with that trait...The Pioneers are 5-0 versus the RSC West Division. The final two games versus the RSC West are at Asbury and at Alice Lloyd...Point Park had 19 assists on 28 made field goals versus Brescia.
