Pioneers women's basketball wins season opener 92-56 over Penn State-Shenango
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Penn State Shenango (0-1) | 8 | 18 | 15 | 15 | 56 |
|
Point Park (1-0) | 18 | 21 | 30 | 23 | 92 |
PITTSBURGH -- Point Park University women's basketball tipped off the 2023-24 season with a 92-56 win over visiting Penn State-Shenango on Thursday night. The Pioneers (1-0) put five players in double figures for the non-conference victory.
Ari Bleda picked up right where she left off last year with an all-around game of 22 points on 10 for 14 field goals, 12 rebounds and five steals. A pair of newcomers in the starting lineup joined her in double figures with forward Gabriella Legister putting up 13 points and eight rebounds from the post and guard Gillian Piccolino tallying 11 points, five boards, three assists, three steals and two blocks.
Point Park had a total of 10 players score and 12 players see action in the game. Registering double figures off the bench were two more incoming transfers Fatim Sarr Ndow with 12 points on 5 for 8 from the field, five rebounds and four steals as well as Isabella Pelaia with 10 points on 4 for 7 from the floor and a perfect 2 for 2 at the foul line.
Coral Homs chipped in seven points and eight rebounds. Aichata Ballo tallied six points, a team-high seven assists, four steals and two blocks.
Point Park held a 58-53 edge in rebounds, won the turnover battle 32-16 and held the Lions to 30-percent shooting. Other stats in favor of the Pioneers were 20 assists, 22 steals and five blocks on the night.
Point Park got out to an 11-2 lead off the opening tip. The Pioneers were ahead 18-8 at the end of the first quarter and took a 39-26 lead at the break. After holding PSU-Shenango to 22-percent shooting (4 for 18) in the first quarter, the Lions started to make some shots before halftime, and Point Park hit a cold spell.
Point Park shot 50 percent over the final two quarters making 22 of 44 from the field to pull away. Point Park's highest-scoring quarter was the third when it put up 30 points to double-up the Lions in the period. Conversely, PSU-Shenango was held to 11 for 38 the second half.
Next up Point Park will get a big test when it makes the short trip up to Pitt for an exhibition game on Monday, Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. Admission is Free for all at the Petersen Events Center.
