Houghton, NY -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford women's basketball team opened its 2025-26 campaign on Friday evening, taking on Houghton. The Panthers struggled to handle the Highlanders' pressure, ultimately falling 114-40.

The Panthers were not able to get their offense started to begin the game, as the hosts scored the first 9 points of the contest. Amber Murak put the Panthers on the board with a free throw, and then Stacy Sequeira opened her collegiate tally with a three. Her long ball was followed by another long scoring drought that saw the Highlanders push their advantage to 18-4. The Panthers added three more free throws in the final minutes, but Houghton tacked on 8 more points to take a 26-7 lead into the 2nd.

Houghton scored the first five points of the 2nd, but Dalayla Alexander was able to make a fast break layup and then hit a three to build momentum. After a pair of Alexander free throws, the hosts made three straight threes around a Murak jumper to push their advantage to 26. The Panthers put on a quick 8-0 run when Murak followed an Alexander jumper with back-to-back from beyond the arc. Unfortunately, the Panthers were not able to maintain their momentum and allowed Houghton to score the final 11 points of the half.

The Highlanders continued their run after the restart, scoring the first 10 of the half. Alexander got the Panthers back on the board with a layup at the 6:22 mark. Murak added another basket inside a minute later, but it would be the last field goal of the quarter for the Panthers, who only tallied one more point on a free throw. Houghton outscored the Panthers 36-5 in the quarter and sent the game to the 4th, leading 89-29.

Molly Cady began the final period with a made free throw, but her point was followed by a 14-point rally that ended on a layup by Zennette Zigler. Ella Gettings made a pair of layups around the four-minute mark, and Alexander closed the game with a transition layup in the final possession.

Dalayla Alexander played all 40 minutes for the Panthers, finishing with 14 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals. Amber Murak also scored 14, while grabbing 5 rebounds. Ella Gettings and Molly Cady each collected 6 rebounds in the loss.

The Panthers are 0-1 after the opening night loss. They will be back in action on Monday, November 10th, with a road match at Keuka. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.