OAKLAND CITY, Ind. -- Point Park University women's basketball lost for the first time in 45 days falling 72-66 at Oakland City (Ind.) University on Thursday night. The River States Conference West Division leader Mighty Oaks stayed unbeaten in the conference at 10-5 overall, 6-0 RSC while Point Park is now 11-4 overall, 4-2 RSC. 

Point Park had its season-long, seven-game win streak ended. It was the Pioneers' first loss since an RSC defeat at then-No. 7-ranked Rio Grande (Ohio) back on Nov. 28. 

Gabriella Legister had another big game of 20 points and 10 rebounds for Point Park. The 6-2 center who transferred in from Kennesaw State (Ga.) was 7 for 11 from the field and 6 of 8 free throws. It was the 11th double-double in 15 games for Legister, a product of Chartiers Valley High School. 

The Pioneers had four players in double figures including Gillian Piccolino with 15 points and four made 3-pointers. Fatim Sarr Ndow came off the bench for 13 points on 5 for 7 field goals while Emma Pavelek scored 12 points with 11 of those coming in the first half. 

Marissa Austin scored a team-high 19 points for Oakland City making 7 for 10 from the foul line. Jalaya Dowell added 15 points and 11 rebounds from the post. The Mighty Oaks had some balanced scoring elsewhere with Emilee Hope (9), Erin Whitehead (9), Tabatha Klem (8) and Gabrielle Joyner (8). 

Point Park was down, 22-15, after 10 minutes. It was a 3-pointer by Piccolino that ended the first quarter for the Pioneers. That started a 20-7 run that eventually put Point Park ahead, 32-29, late in the first half. 

Oakland City was being held to just one made field goal in the first eight minutes of the second quarter as Point Park made that comeback. But the Mighty Oaks -- who were only 4 for 16 shooting the second period -- stole away the lead at the half with three late layups for a 37-36 advantage at the break. 

Oakland City scored the first five points of the second half to gain some more momentum. Point Park battled back to go in front, 51-50, on a 3-pointer by Piccolino. The Pioneers were still ahead when Piccolino connected again from the outside for a 57-54 advantage with 54 seconds left in the third.

But the Pioneers had trouble closing out a quarter again as the Mighty Oaks scored the final five points of the third. Austin's old-fashioned 3-point play put Oakland City ahead, 59-57, heading into the fourth. 

The Mighty Oaks managed to build a lead of a couple of possessions early on in the final quarter. Point Park was unable to get closer than 68-64 on Ari Bleda's layup at the 2:17 mark and later 69-66 on a basket by Legister with 37 seconds remaining.

Bleda ended up with eight rebounds, five blocks, three steals and three assists. Aichata Ballo grabbed nine rebounds to help the Pioneers lead on the boards, 51-44. 

Point Park lost the turnover battle, 23-18, and Oakland City turned those turnovers into 24 points. The Mighty Oaks also had an edge in points in the paint, 44-36. Both teams missed a lot of free throws with Oakland City making just enough at the end to come away with the win. 

Point Park stays on the road to play at Brescia (Ky.) for another RSC East-West Division crossover game on Saturday, Jan. 13 at 1:00 p.m. CT.