ERIE, Pa:  The Pitt-Greensburg women's basketball team closed out the 2014-15 regular season in winning fashion, defeating the Lions of Penn State Behrend, 70-60 on Saturday afternoon.

The win improves Pitt-Greensburg to 12-6 in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference and 16-9 on the season as Behrend finishes 6-12 in conference play and 9-16 overall.

Penn State Behrend gave the Bobcats more than they bargained for in a tough first half of play.  After 11 lead changes and 6 ties, the Lions would take a 30-28 lead into half time.  Both teams would shoot well in the opening half with the Lions holding a slight 42% to 40% advantage in shot percentage.  UPG was led by Morgan Biddle (Flinton, PA, Glendale), who finished the first with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 blocks.

Despite knotting things up four times to open the second, the Bobcats would have to wait until the 12:26 mark to take the lead.  A pair of Emily Merryman (Venus, PA, Cranberry) free throws followed by a Merryman three pointer on the next offensive possession would put the Bobcats up 43-40 and start an 11-0 run capped by a Biddle layup with 8:32 remaining.  The run would give Pitt-Greenburg a 49-40 lead and the breathing room needed to close out the game.  They'd extend the advantage to as many as 13 points down the stretch before taking the 70-60 victory back to Greensburg.

Pitt-Greensburg saw improved shooting in the second after converting 48% of their shots from the floor, 50% from three, and 83% (15-18) from the foul line.  They'd also out-rebound the Lions 20-16.

On the afternoon, the Bobcats would hold a 43% to 40% advantage in shooting percentage and a big 82% to 50% advantage from the charity stripe.
Biddle led the way for Pitt-Greensburg after finishing with 22 points, 13 rebounds, 5 blocks, and two steals.  Kayla Dames (Oakdale, PA, Chartiers Valley) wasn't far behind with 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks.  Merryman finished with a career-high 14 points and game-high four steals while Emily Nelson (New Stanton, PA, Hempfield) chipped in with 10 points.

The #3 Bobcats now host #6 Franciscan University on Tuesday, February 24th to start the AMCC playoff tournament with tip-off set for 6:00pm.  Pitt-Greensburg earned a split with the Baron's in their two earlier meetings this season with each team winning on their home court.