Altoona, PA -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford hit the road on Monday, taking on Penn State-Altoona in a rematch of a 26-point victory last Wednesday. The Panthers struggled to keep up with the Lions early, allowing them to score 57 points in the first half of a 97-86 defeat.

The hosts opened the scoring with a three on their second possession, but the Panthers found a quick response with a Jeremy Rodriguez jumper and a three from Niare Poplar. A few minutes later, Xander Norris made a three to give the Panthers a lead; howver the Lions quickly responded and moved in front with five straight points. The teams exchanged rallies over the next few minutes, and Pitt-Bradford led by one after two Tra Edwards free throws with 10 minutes left in the half. 

The Lions regained the lead after the free throws and went on a 15-3 run to open up a double-digit lead. Poplar ended the rally with a three, but the Panthers could only keep pace with the Lions as Norris and Coby Farley's jumpers were matched by the hosts. Farley added two three-pointers in the last two minutes of the half, but the Panthers went to the locker room trailing 57-47.

Pitt-Bradford had a quick start in the second half, as Clarence Cobbins tipped in a rebound and Xavion Boone followed with a layup. The hosts immediately answered the baskets and, within three minutes, added another three to push the lead to 13. With 15 minutes left, the Panthers began to chip away at the lead. They started with an 8-0 run that included layups from Tommy Walton and Norris, as well as a three-point play by Edwards that cut the deficit to 4. A Kaleb Foster three answered a basket and a free throw from the Lions to keep the lead at four, but the hosts were able to score six quick points to get their advantage back to double-digits.

Maki Hill scored the next eight points for the Panthers, quickly reducing the deficit. Cobbins converted a three-point play to put the Panthers down 80-78, but Pitt-Bradford could not get another stop on defense, and the Lions made four from the line on the next two possessions. With 2:41 remaining, Poplar made two free throws, cutting the lead back to three; however, the Panthers went cold, and the Lions put the game away with 10 unanswered points. 

Three different Panthers finished with 13 points in the game. Clarence Cobbins logged a double-double, finishing with 13 and 11 rebounds. Xander Norris added 13 as well, while Maki Hill scored 13 from the bench. Niare Poplar finished with 12, while Coby Farley also reached double figures with 11 points. 

The Panthers fall to 11-9 on the season, with a 6-5 mark in AMCC play. They will return to KOA Arena on Wednesday, as they host Alfred State in more AMCC action. Tipoff is slated for 7:00 p.m.