PITTSBURGH -- Point Park University women's basketball dropped its River States Conference opener on Saturday night, 76-67, at Carlow University. A big third quarter by the Celtics (6-5, 1-1 RSC) turned the tables and reversed what was an eight-point halftime lead for Point Park (5-5, 0-1 RSC).

Point Park built a 37-29 lead at the break. But Carlow made a 25-14 run the third quarter to go back in front, 54-51, entering the fourth. When the Celtics opened the final period with a couple of baskets -- including a 3-pointer -- the Pioneers were forced to play catchup.

The deficit grew more when Carlow made a couple of treys in a row -- by Kamryn Lach and Keagan Bradley -- for a 65-53 lead with 5:03 left.

Point Park battled back by forcing three straight turnovers and converting each time on the offensive end. First was a basket by Taylor Rinn for two of her game-high 21 points. Then was Taylor Kirschner with a 3-pointer as part of a her 19 points. Finally, Tyra James' bucket cut the deficit to 67-64 with 2:38 left.

But Carlow came up with another big trey, this time by Delaney Daly and a 70-64 lead. A couple of costly turnovers came next for the Pioneers, and Daly's basket with 1:13 remaining put Carlow up 74-65.

Rinn had 15 of Point Park's 30 points in the second half. The freshman forward posted a double-double with 10 rebounds. Kirschner's 19 points came on 5 for 14 from long range. She had 11 in the first half. James scored nine of her 11 in the first half as the Pioneers built the lead.

It was a tough shooting night for the Pioneers at 32 percent from the field and 8 for 39 from the 3-point line. Carlow countered with 43 percent field goals and made 10 of 22 treys for 45 percent.

Point Park led in rebounding, 50-48, although Carlow's Emma Stille had an amazing 32 boards to go along with 13 points. She pulled down 22 defensive rebounds. The Pioneers grabbed 26 offensive rebounds but could not get enough shots to go down. Turnovers had 27 for Carlow and 21 for Point Park.

The Pioneers get right back into action with a non-conference home game on Sunday, Dec. 8. Point Park welcomes Washington Adventist for a 1 p.m. tipoff at CCAC-Allegheny. It is the second meeting between the teams with Point Park earning a 67-66 victory on the road Nov. 20.

Follow the Pioneers online at PointParkSports.com and on social media @PointParkSports and @PointParkWBB hashtags #PPUWBB and #PPUHOOPS.