Point Park wins at Brescia, surpasses last year's win total at 12-4 overall

OWENSBORO, Ky. -- Point Park University women's basketball won a River States Conference game at Brescia (Ky.) University, 69-60, on Saturday. The road victory puts the Pioneers at 12-4 overall to surpass last year's win total during an 11-16 season. Point Park has won four of its last five conference games to improve to 5-2 RSC. 

Gabriella Legister had another huge game with 21 points and 14 rebounds. It was her 12th double-double of the year and her second game in a row with at least 20 points. 

Gillian Piccolino added 17 points and eight rebounds while making 2 for 5 from beyond the arc. Emma Pavelek had 12 points to make it three starters in double figures. She was also 2 for 5 from deep along with four rebounds and three assists. 

Ari Bleda racked up eight assists to lead the Point Park passing. The Pioneers had 18 assists on 23 made baskets on the day and shot a solid 43 percent from the field. Point Park played 10 players with nine of them scoring. 

Point Park came out with an amazing first quarter and led, 29-11, after 10 minutes. The Pioneers shot 67 percent in the period at 12 for 18 from the floor. That included 11 assists on the 12 made baskets.

Legister was a force from the beginning scoring 11 points the first 10 minutes. She was 5 for 7 shooting at that point. Bleda was dishing the rock with six of her eight assists in that first quarter. 

The Pioneers enjoyed their biggest lead of the day at 35-14 early on in the second. But the Bearcats ended the half on a run to get within 37-28 at the break. 

Point Park returned the favor outscoring Brescia, 17-9, in the third. A trey by Piccolino and an inside basket by Legister had the Pioneers back up double digits. 44-32. They were ahead, 54-37, after three and kept the lead in the fourth.

Brescia did get within 58-55 with just under 5:00 to go. A jumper by Piccolino, a bucket by Legister and an old-fashioned 3-point play by Piccolino pushed the Pioneers into control, 65-57, with just 1:31 remaining. 

Point Park will be off until next Saturday, Jan. 20 when they host IU East for an RSC matchup. Tipoff is 1:00 p.m. at CCAC-Allegheny. Point Park is currently in second place in the RSC East Division at 5-2 RSC. The Pioneers have the next best record in the entire conference behind RSC East leader Rio Grande (Ohio) (8-0 RSC) and RSC West leader Oakland City (Ind.) (7-0 RSC).