Point Park women's basketball routs IU East, 77-48, improves to 13-4 on the season

PITTSBURGH -- Point Park University women's basketball led from start to finish in a 77-48 home victory over Indiana University East on Saturday from CCAC-Allegheny. The Pioneers improved to 13-4 overall and 10-0 at home with the victory, which had them up 21 at the half and 39 in the fourth quarter. 

Point Park won for the ninth time in its last 10 games and moved its River States Conference record to 6-2. IU East is now 8-10, 3-5 RSC. 

The Pioneers smothered the Red Wolves with defense and rebounding and had four scorers in double figures -- two of which came off the bench. Point Park built a 25-9 lead at the end of the first quarter and was enjoying a 45-24 lead at the break. Point Park pushed things to 77-38 in the fourth quarter. 

Ari Bleda and Gabriella Legister both scored 15 points from the starting lineup. Bleda turned in five rebounds, five steals, four assists and two blocks as well. Legister finished with nine rebounds and a pair of blocks.

Aichata Ballo scored 12 points off the bench and also tallied six rebounds and three assists. Fatim Sarr Ndow posted 11 points and 10 rebounds for her first double-double at Point Park for the Robert Morris transfer. 

Point Park already had 12 steals and had forced 15 turnovers by halftime. A pressing defense led to many opportunities. Point Park was ahead 7-0 quickly after tipoff. Gillian Piccolino canned a pair of treys for a 19-5 lead later in the quarter. 

A pair of steals right in a row to start the second quarter had the Pioneers up 33-11 on layups by Emma Pavelek and Bleda. Moments later, Alexis Giles swished a 3-pointer to double up the Red Wolves, 40-20. Pavelek found Sarr Ndow for a layup late in the half to maintain the 20-point lead. 

The start of the third quarter had a familiar start with Giles feeding Legister in the post for a basket just seconds into the period. Sarr Ndow, who has reached double figures in three of the last four games, was set up by Bleda for an inside look, and it was 54-28.

In all, the third quarter was a 16-6 run for the Pioneers as they carried a 61-30 led into the fourth.

In the fourth, Isabella Pelaia hit from the outside, and Sarr Ndow scored off an assist from Jillian Spano to push Point Park to its biggest lead of 77-38 with 2:56 left. IU East scored the last 10 points to get the final under 30. 

Rebounding was impressive for Point Park with a 53-37 lead on the glass. Point Park got 41 defensive rebounds and allowed just two offensive rebounds, one of which was by the IU East team. 

Giles had seven points and made a pair of 3-pointers. Piccolino and Pelaia each made a pair of treys and scored six points apiece. Pavelek nothced five points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals. 

Point Park's next games are Jan. 25 and Jan. 27 at home versus St. Mary-of-the-Woods (Ind.) and IU Kokomo.