Fourth-quarter comeback falls short, Pioneers lose at Washington Adventist, 86-84

TAKOMA PARK, Md. -- Point Park University women's basketball put on a furious comeback in the fourth quarter, but it came up just short in an 86-84 loss at Washington Adventist (Md.) on Monday night. The NAIA non-conference game was the first loss of the season for the Pioneers (4-1). 

Three Point Park players registered season-highs for points with Emma Pavelek and Gillian Piccolino going for 23 apiece and Alexis Giles chipping in 16. Gabriella Legister added 13 points and nine rebounds. 

Point Park was facing a deficit of 71-58 after three quarters at Washington Adventist (2-2). The Shock had taken control in the middle two quarters after the Pioneers were ahead, 26-23, after the first. 

Piccolino was 5 for 10 from long range on the night. Her 3-pointer ignited a 7-0 run to start the fourth quarter. Pavelek, who had 11 points in the fourth quarter, followed with a layup and a pair of free throws as the Pioneers immediately cut the lead in half, 71-65, with 8:53 left. 

Point Park outscored the Shock, 26-15, over the final quarter. The Pioneers' fourth-quarter run continued with Giles burying one of her four treys on the night and Pavelek following with one of her own. That cut the deficit to 83-81 with 2:48 remaining.

But Sole Carroll answered right back on WAU's next possession with a 3-pointer to push the score to 86-81 at the 2:15 mark. Although Point Park held the Shock scoreless the rest of the way, that proved to be the winning basket. 

Piccolino scored on a layup to make the score 86-83, and a free throw by Aichata Ballo a few possessions later cut the deficit to 86-84 with 49 seconds left. 

Despite getting stops and some offensive rebounds, the Pioneers were unable to find the tying points as their last three shot attempts were off the mark. 

Carroll and teammate Sarah Shamdeen led the Shock with 18 points and a couple of 3-pointers each. Nyelle Allen added 14 points and seven rebounds.

Point Park made 9 of 14 from the field in the first quarter for 64 percent. The Pioneers did not have the same efficiency the rest of the way and shot 39 percent (25 for 64) for the night.

WAU stayed consistent throughout shooting 51 percent for the game. Point Park made 10 3-pointers, but the Shock countered with nine of their own. Point Park did have a big advantage on free throws going 24 for 30 compared to 7 for 10 for the hosts. 

Point Park's next game is Monday, Nov. 20 at NCAA Division I Marshall (W.Va.) for an exhibition contest. Tipoff is 6:00 p.m.