PITTSBURGH - The Point Park women's basketball team defeated the University of Charleston, 78-75, in a loud CCAC-Allegheny Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon.
 
With Charleston leading 75-74 with 11 seconds to play, Alexis Giles dropped in a layup, with an assist from Aichata Ballo off the inbound, with five seconds remaining and then went 2-of-2 at the line with just over one second remaining to give the Pioneers the three-point win.
 
Giles finished the afternoon with 26 points to go with two rebounds and a steal. Giles was 5-of-12 from the floor and 15-of-18 from the free throw line.
 
The first half featured five lead changes with both teams holding the lead for nearly 10 minutes of the half. The game was tied 18-18 after one quarter of play and UC went on a 9-4 run to end the second quarter and take a 36-31 advantage to the locker room.
 
In the third quarter, Point Park regrouped and showcased some of its best basketball. The Pioneers outscored Charleston, 22-17, and played strong defense, forcing the Golden Eagles to just 6-of-19 from the floor (31.6%) in the period.

In the game, Point Park had nine steals with Ballo leading the team and tying a season-high with four steals.
 
Point Park went on a 9-0 scoring run from the 4:44 mark to the 2:06 mark, and the third quarter ended tied 53-53.
 
In the fourth quarter, the teams exchanged leads six times, showcasing a back-and-forth battle. With just 11 seconds remaining, Charleston's Paris Stokes led her team to a 75-74 lead with a traditional three-point play.
 
Stokes finished the afternoon with a team-high 21 points and four assists for UC.
 
Point Park needed a response, and (Alexis) Giles provided it. With five seconds left, Ballo made a perfect inbound pass to Giles under the rim, allowing the Pioneers to edge ahead 76-75 with a layup.
 
As Charleston prepared to inbound the ball with only one second on the clock, Harper committed an intentional foul, sending Giles to the free-throw line, where she added her 25th and 26th point to secure a 78-75 victory for the Pioneers.
 
Giles finished a stellar week, which included 22 points on Wednesday at West Virginia State and 26 points on Saturday.
 
Point Park received contributions from players up-and-down the lineup, with five Pioneer players scoring in double-figures (just the second time this season).
 
Behind Giles, Emma Pavelek was the second-leading scorer with 14 points, showcasing an efficient shooting performance by going 5-for-6 from the field and 4-for-4 at the free throw line. Ari Bleda was impactful on both ends of the court, contributing 13 points, eight rebounds (seven defensive), one block, and one steal, while playing the full 40 minutes.
 
Camile Fultz followed Bleda with 12 points, while Ballo contributed 11.
 
Point Park made 27-of-57 field goal attempts (47.4%) in the game.
 
The 78 points on the offensive end is tied for a season-high in MEC play this season for the Pioneers.
 
Point Park's record now stands at 8-15 overall and 6-11 in conference play.
 
The Pioneers hit the road for a tough road game on Wednesday night at Fairmont State. Tip is set for 5:30 p.m.
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