BRADFORD, PA— The University of Pittsburgh-Bradford Panthers remained undefeated on Tuesday night, moving to 7-0, defeating the visiting Houghton Highlanders, 120-87. 
 
The Panthers high-pressure, full-court defense generated 25 Houghton turnovers, 16 of which came by steal, leading to 33 points.
 
While the game played evenly through the first six minutes, back-to-back steals-and-dunks by Jamarion Butler and Jesse Laster kicked off a 15-0 run by Pitt-Bradford, and the Panthers never looked back.
 
By the half, Pitt-Bradford held a commanding, 65-38, lead.  While the two teams posted nearly identical shooting percentages, Houghton's 18 first half turnovers gave the Panthers 13 additional shots.
 
While the Panthers cooled a bit in the second half they continued to pull away, outscoring the Highlanders, 55-49, over the final 20 minutes.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 87 | Pitt-Bradford – 120
Records: Houghton: 5-3 | Pitt-Bradford: 7-0
Venue: McDowell Sport & Fitness Center, University of Pittsburgh-Bradford | Attendance: 225

NOTABLE STATS
>> In addition to knocking down 55 percent of their shots from the field, the Panthers hit a scorching 46 percent (14-for-31) from beyond the arc.
 
>> Jajuan Preaster led the Highlanders with 22 points on 11-of-19 from the field, while adding five assists and two steals.  Preaster has scored at least 20 points in four games this season and is currently averaging 19.1 points per game.  He now has 1,223 career points, moving him past Yannick Anzuluni (2006-10) into eighth place on the Highlanders' career leader board.  He is now 127 points shy of seventh-place-holder, Harold Spooner (1970-74).
 
>> Christian Sage added 17 points and four assists, and Lou Bellamy fell one rebound short of his fifth consecutive double-double, scoring 15 points and pulling down nine rebounds. 
 
COACH'S CORNER
"That is a hard press to simulate in practice. I felt like we were prepared, but the Panthers speed and length really bothered us early. Once we calmed down, achieved proper spacing, and were a bit more disciplined in our cuts and passes, we had more success. Unfortunately, we were down 20-plus points by then.

"For most of the second half we got what we wanted. It was just way too late and we really never guarded them well enough in the halfcourt. Our closeout defense has to improve. Pitt-Brad shot it really well, but they got a lot of uncontested looks in transition or off penetration.
 
"There were definitely some bright spots on offense when we got shots. Jajuan Preaster, Lou Bellamy, and Christian Sage are all hard to guard in open space. They proved that again tonight. We just need to protect more offensive possessions to showcase them." - Head Coach Jeremy Bialek

UP NEXT
The Highlanders head to Fredonia on Thursday for a game with the SUNY Fredonia Blue Devils that was originally slated for December 6^th but was postponed due to inclement weather.  Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.