GREENSBURG, Pa:  A solid all-around performance by the Pitt-Greensburg women's basketball team paid major dividends in a 69-48 victory over Franciscan University.  Wednesday's win evens the Bobcats Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference record at 2-2 and places their overall mark one game above .500 at 6-5.  The Barons also sit at 2-2 in conference play and fall to 4-5 on the season.

The Bobcats got off to a quick start, opening the game on a 12-1 run that spanned the first eight minutes of the game.  Over the next six and a half minutes, Franciscan would fight their way back, tying the contest at 14-14 with 5:37 remaining in the first.  Pitt-Greensburg would dominate the final five minutes of the half, outscoring the Barons down the stretch 15-4 and take a 29-18 advantage into halftime.

An impressive defensive performance by UPG held Franciscan to just 18% (5-28) shooting and 17% (1-6) from behind the three point arc.  Offensively, Morgan Biddle (Flinton, PA, Glendale) led the way for the Bobcats with nine first half points.

Kayla Dames (Oakdale, PA, Chartiers Valley) would get things going in the second, hitting a jumper 25 seconds into the half, igniting a 19-4 run capped by a Sylvia Stuart (Harrisburg, PA, Central Dauphin East) layup that put Pitt-Greensburg ahead 48-22 with 13:25 remaining.  FUS would cut the deficit to 18 on a couple occasions but an active UPG squad would continually extend the lead back into the twenties.  As a team, Pitt-Greensburg shot an impressive 59% (14-24) from the floor and 75% (3-4) from three in the second.   Dames would lead the way, thanks to an inspiring double-double performance in the second half alone with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Dames would finish the game with 19 points and 18 rebounds to lead a trio of Bobcats in double figures.  Biddle would add 13 points while Emily Nelson (New Stanton, PA, Hempfield) would round out the leading scorers with 11 of her own.

Pitt-Greensburg would hold advantages in many categories, including shooting; 42% to 27%, rebounding; 45 to 34, points off turnovers; 20-10, points in the paint; 26-18, and bench points; 18-8.

UPG will have a busy upcoming weekend with two conference opponents visiting Chamber's Hall.  Up first is Medaille College on Saturday, January 10^th followed by Penn State Behrend on Sunday, January 11^th.  Both games are scheduled for 2:00pm tip-offs.