Box Score CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio -- Point Park University women's basketball had its five-game win streak stopped on Saturday at Ohio Christian University. The Pioneers (11-8, 2-4 RSC) lost the River States Conference matchup to the Trailblazers (14-6, 4-3 RSC), 84-74.
Michelle Burns had a game-high 22 points for Point Park, and she went over 1,000 points for her career. A junior from Greensburg, Pa., Burns now has 1,016 points in 72 games for a career scoring average of 14.1 ppg.
Burns scored Point Park's first seven points as the Pioneers grabbed an early lead of 7-5 after just four possessions. Burns needed six points on the day to reach the milestone and got it out of the way quickly.
The Pioneers put three starters in double figures in scoring but did not keep up with Ohio Christian, the No. 3-ranked scoring offense in the country and the highest-scoring team in the conference at 90.2 ppg.
Ohio Christian had five players in double digits with forward Rachel Gillum posting 19 points and 12 rebounds on 7 for 11 from the floor. Guard Rachel Limas added 19.
Makayla DeArmand came in to score 14 points to help make up for leading scorer Staci Pertuset (19.1 ppg) having to leave the game after 11 points in 18 minutes played. Carolane Cox added 12 points, nine rebounds and four assists for Ohio Christian.
Taylor Rinn had another double with 14 points and 14 rebounds for Point Park. Taylor Kirschner contributed 12 points, and Baylie Mook and Sierra Seneta chipped in eight each.
The game got off to a high-scoring pace with Ohio Christian leading, 26-20, after the first quarter. Point Park slowed down the Trailblazers at the start of the second quarter and went on a 13-2 run for a 32-28 lead. But Ohio Christian inched ahead at the break, 41-38.
Ohio Christian kept its offense efficient in the second half, but Point Park's shooting percentage dipped to 30 percent (13 for 43) after halftime. The Pioneers shot 42 percent the first half. Ohio Christian shot 44 percent for the game and was above 40 percent each half.
Still, Point Park drew even at 46-46 on Burns' 3-pointer midway through the third quarter. She made 6 of 12 from the arc and also made four steals. Although OCU bumped the lead to 59-49, the Pioneers pulled within 61-57 at the end of three thanks to Kirschner's trey.
The fourth quarter started with a few baskets in a row by the Trailblazers. Point Park was within two scores after Seneta nailed a trey to cut the deficit to 68-62 with 7:42 left.
From there, Ohio Christian was able maintain the lead with free throws. Trailblazers had only two more field goals from that point but made 11 of 13 free throws in the fourth quarter to keep the lead.
Point Park gets right back into action with a Sunday home game versus NCAA Division III school Valley Forge Christian. Tipoff is 12 p.m. at CCAC-Allegheny. It will be "Future Pioneer Day" with the coaching staff hosting prospective student-athletes.
