Point Park University

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. -- Point Park women's basketball fell short in its late rally against Pitt-Johnstown on Monday, dropping the season opener 63-59 at the Sports Center.

Point Park was spurred on by great performances from three newcomers with Carmen Vasquez posting a double-double, Mya Taylor scoring 20 points on 50% shooting from the field and Grace Middleton scoring 16 points of her own.

Vasquez, a junior transfer Edinboro, was the only player in the game to crack double-digit rebounds with her 10 boards - four of which were offensive rebounds. Vasquez finished third on the team with 12 points, and she made four of her six free throws for a .667 rate from the line. She also tied with Kayla Walter for the team high in assists with three.

Taylor scored a game-best 20 points with six boards in her debut for the Pioneers, and she shot 50% from the field (7/14) and from beyond the arc (3/6). Taylor's best stretch came during a 13-0 run for Point Park in the first half in which she scored the first 10 points. 

Taylor played well on both sides of the ball, as she led the team with three steals. She recorded six rebounds on Monday, four of which came off the defensive glass. Taylor trailed only Vasquez and Kamryn Pieper, who posted eight rebounds of her own, on the team.

Grace Middleton tied with Angel Ezirim of UPJ for second in scoring with 16 points. She converted on six of her 13 field goals, finishing the game as the third-best shooter from the field (minimum 10 attempts). 

Point Park went on a 13-8 run in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit down to just 3 points, however UPJ would not surrender its lead. Middleton provided 5 points for the Pioneers over the stretch with Vasquez and Walter each scoring 3 points and Taylor chipping in 2 of her own. The Pioneers went 5 of 11 on field goals over this run, including hitting two of their three 3-pointers. 

The Pioneers will be back in action over the weekend when they compete in Indiana (PA)'s Crimson Hawk Challenge. Point Park will tangle with IUP, the No. 4 team in Division II, on Saturday at 2 p.m. before facing Virginia State on Sunday at 1 p.m.