BRADFORD, Pa. – After three-straight wins to start the season, Houghton women's basketball suffered their first loss, 78-74, to Pitt-Bradford on the road Tuesday.

The Highlanders were faced with a tenacious, gritty team in the Panthers, who came out with a full court press that slowed the Highlander offense and forced 25 turnovers on the night. Pitt-Brad, who trailed by eight early in the fourth quarter, also hit 11 three pointers on the night.

Elle Reed (Sherman, NY, Sherman Central School) led the Highlanders with 24 points and hit 5-of-10 from three. She also had three steals and three assists. Madison Detwiler (Williamsburg, PA, Williamsburg HS) finished with 12 points and six rebounds. Maisie Pipher (Lowman, NY, Twin Tiers Christian) contributed 10 points and seven rebounds. Brittany Lenart (Panama, NY, Panama HS) had eight points, eight rebounds and four blocked shots.

Despite facing early pressure by the Panthers and turning the ball over, the Highlanders were able to find a rhythm when they got into their halfcourt set to grab a 19-15 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Panthers scored the first four points of the second quarter to even the score and the teams exchanged buckets over the next several minutes. Houghton held a 27-24 lead, before the Panthers erupted for 10-straight points to go up by seven (34-27) with 2:53 left in the half. After another exchange of buckets, the Highlanders scored the final seven points of the first half to send the teams to their locker rooms deadlocked at 36.

The early minutes of the third quarter were back and forth. The Panthers were able to go up by as many as three before the Highlanders drew even at 46, then the visitors continued their push, grabbing a 60-54 lead at the end of the third.

After two free throws from Detwiler pushed the margin to eight (62-54) with 8:36 go, it looked as though the Highlanders had things well in hand. However, that's when Panthers up their pressure defensively and Kaserra Owens and Ali Rinfrette took over on offense. Over the next five minutes, Owens scored 11 points and Rinfrette added six on a 17-3 run that erased the deficit and gave the hosts a 71-65 lead. 

The Highlanders were able to trim the deficit to 71-69 with just under two minutes to go, but the visitors would get no closer. With Houghton forced to foul, the Panthers went to line and converted five-straight free throws to keep the game out of reach.

The Panthers scored 29 points off Houghton's 25 turnovers and shot 11-of-37 from long range. They turned the ball over just 11 times.

Houghton shot the ball well, converting 44 percent from the field, 38 percent from three (8-21) and 78 percent from the line. They also had a 49-39 edge in rebounds.

Houghton (3-1) is back in action Tuesday, Dec. 1 when they host Buffalo State.