Pioneers women's basketball wins third straight, 83-63, over Wilberforce improves to 7-3

PITTSBURGH -- Point Park University women's basketball won for the third time in a row and ran its record to 7-3 on the year with Thursday night's 83-63 victory over visiting Wilberforce (Ohio) University. 

The Pioneers (7-3, 2-1 RSC) won the NAIA, non-conference matchup by running away from the Bulldogs the final three quarters. Point Park had a rough start to the game trailing 14-6 after the first quarter. The Pioneers made just 1 of 15 field goals in the first 10 minutes with Alexis Giles' 3-pointer at the buzzer ending the drought. 

But that sparked Point Park the rest of the night and sent them on their way. A 23-8 run in the second quarter had the Pioneers gradually get out to a 29-22 lead at the half. 

The final two quarters were mostly Point Park with the Pioneers putting up 30 points in the third to build their biggest lead of the night, which was 21 points after three. Point Park ended the third quarter on a 16-4 run to push things out to a 59-38 advantage. 

Ari Bleda led the second-half charge with 16 of her team-high 18 points coming the final two quarters. She made three 3-pointers on the night, which accounted for three of Point Park's eight treys in the second half. 

Gabriella Legister put up her sixth double-double in a row and her eighth in 10 games with 16 points and 12 rebounds. She was 8 for 12 from the field and pulled in eight offensive boards. 

Giles finished with 13 points and four made treys. She had a 3-pointer at the end of each of the first two quarters to close out those periods strong for the Pioneers. Emma Pavelek made it four starters in double figures with 11 points, seven rebounds and four assists. 

Chloe Williams was a big boost off the bench with 11 points, all of which came in the first half. She helped the Pioneers get going from their early slump by getting to the foul line making 7 of 8 from there and also pulling in six rebounds. 

After a tough-shooting first half, the Pioneers rebounded to shoot 47 percent the rest of the way. Point Park dominated the rebounds 66-35 with an impressive 30 offensive rebounds. In addition to Legister with 12, Fatim Sarr Ndow grabbed nine rebounds along with her five assists. Isabella Pelaia contributed seven rebounds and three steals. 

The big run to end the third quarter started with Bleda knocking down a 3-pointer off an assist from Pavelek. Moments later, Bleda returned the favor by feeding Pavelek for a trey. Bleda added on top of that with another trey of her own. 

Old-fashioned 3-point plays on drives by Giles and Pelaia and then a steal by Pelaia and a breakaway layup by Gillian Piccolino capped off the quarter. Coral Homs assisted on that last basket of the quarter as the Pioneers were ahead, 59-38, headed into the fourth. 

Point Park will stay in non-conference action on Saturay at home versus NCAA Division II squad West Virginia State. Tipoff is 2:00 p.m. at CCAC-Allegheny.