GREENSBURG, Pa:  A big second quarter would create all the separation needed by the Bobcats to pull away from visiting Hilbert University on Saturday afternoon.  After a tight first quarter, Pitt-Greensburg outscored the Hawks 24-10 during the second and maintained that double-digit advantage the entire second half.

The victory moves the Bobcats to 6-9 on the year and 4-4 in Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference play.  Hilbert falls to 8-7 overall and also sits at 4-4 in conference play.

Neither team would hold more than a one possession lead over the first 10 minutes.  Though Hilbert would hold the largest lead of three, 11-8.  It would be the Bobcats that held a 16-15 lead heading into the first intermission, thanks to a Kelsey Oddis (Lower Burrell, PA, Burrell) layup with 12 seconds remaining.

At the 4:07 mark of the second and with UPG up 29-25, the Bobcats would lock down on defense, shutting out the Hawks all the way to halftime.  They'd also step up the offense, scoring 11 unanswered points to take a 40-15 advantage into the half.

The Special Olympics would take center stage at halftime.  An exhibition by the Westmoreland County Special Olympians would represent themselves well and get the Chamber's Hall crowd up and excited for Saturday's second half.


An Emily Nelson (New Stanton, PA, Hempfield) three-pointer to start out the second would give UPG their largest lead of the game at 43-25 just 25 seconds into the half.  Despite a solid shooting second half by Hilbert, the Bobcats would hold their opponents at bay, never letting the visitors get within less than 13 points.

Pitt-Greensburg would take care of business down the stretch, finishing from the floor and the foul line en route to the 62-47 final.

UPG would hold a slight advantage in shooting percentage, 40% to 37%, but hold a big advantage from three finishing 30% while holding the Hawks without a three point basket (0-9) for the entirety of Saturday's game.

Pitt-Greensburg's offense was paced by Oddis who finished 18 points, eight rebounds, five coming on the offensive glass, and three steals.  Nelson would add 10 points, two assists, and two steals while Casey Hamilton (Greensburg, PA, Hempfield) turned in her third double-double in four games with 10 points & 10 rebounds.  She'd also add two blocks and a steal to her totals.

The Bobcats reach the midway point of conference play on Monday, January 18^th when Mount Aloysius travels to Chambers Hall for an 8:00pm contest.