Bradford, PA -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford women's basketball team hosted Houghton on Friday evening in a rematch of its season-opening loss. The Panthers had a stronger showing against the Highlanders, but still fell 103-66.

Pitt-Bradford fell behind early despite an early layup from Abigail Goss. The visitors outscored the Panthers 12-2 over the first four minutes of play until Amber Murak drove to the basket and completed a three-point play. Murak converted another layup a minute later and then, after 6 straight from the Highlanders, Dalayla Alexander hit a three to cut the deficit to 8. Ella Gettings and Molly Cady each added a midrange jumper; however, the Panthers trailed 26-14 after the first.

The Panthers struggled to restart as the game moved into the second period, and Houghton took advantage, scoring the first 11 points of the period until Murak hit a three from the wing. After Molyl Cady followed the three with a layup, Houghton hit a pair of threes around a Pitt-Bradgord timeout to push their advantage to 24. Trailing 45-21 with two minutes left in the half, Amber Murak completed a three-point play, and Gettings added a free throw, but the Highlanders made two quick layups to restore the lead. Gettings made a layup, and Alexander sank a pair of free throws; however, Houghton hit a last-second three to take a 54-29 lead into the break.

After the break, Alexander and Stacy Sequeira each made early threes for the Panthers. Pitt-Bradford was not able to maintain the momentum, and Houghton outscored them 15-6 over the first five minutes of the third. FollowinHoughton turnover, Alexander converted a three-point play, and then Murak answered a jumper with a long three to cut the deficit to 30. They each made a pair of jumpers in the lane a few minutes later, but Houghton closed the quarter on a 10-3 run and led 85-48 heading into the 4th.

Alexander started the 4th with two free throws, but the Highlanders scored 5 quick points around a Panther turnover. Goss and Murak each made layups midway through the quarter, but Houghton was able to match them and maintain their lead. In the last two and a half minutes of play, the Panthers outscored Houghton 6-2. Murak started the run with a layup, and then after Joy McBean made a pair of free throws, Sequeira closed the game with a layup.

Amber Murak led all scorers in the game with 23 points. She made 9-20 from the floor and 3-8 from beyond the arc. Dalayla Alexander set a season high with 20 points. She made 6-11 from the field and 3-5 from deep. She also tallied 5 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals. Ella Gettings added 7 points and led the Panthers with 11 rebounds. 

The loss drops Pitt-Bradford to 0-7 on the season. They will be right back in action tomorrow, as they host Pitt-Greensburg in a crucial AMCC matchup. Tipoff is set for 2:00 p.m. in KOA Arena.