Bobcat Weekly Updates

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The University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg Bobcats opened the Wingate Inn Tip-Off Tournament (Messiah College-Grantham, Pa.) on Nov. 16 with a 68-55 defeat to DeSales University (Center Valley, Pa.).

Junior Erin Arnold (Kiski Area H.S.) led the Bobcats in scoring by putting in 19 points on 7-13 shooting. Arnold also grabbed three rebounds and picked off three steals in the loss. Freshman Becky Joyce also played a solid game by scoring nine points and hauling down a team-high 10 rebounds.  Sophomore Torey Auld (Seneca Valley H.S.) scored 10 points and handed out a game-high five assists for UPG while sophomore Jordan Fox scored nine points and grabbed six caroms.

As a team, UPG shot just under 35-percent from the field while hitting on a solid 83-percent from the free-throw line.

In their second game of the tournament, the Bobcats faced Ursinus College (Collegeville, Pa.) but lost 69-65 despite solid efforts from several players. Fox led the charge by scoring 20 points and bringing in four rebounds while freshman Amy Ploskunak (Plum H.S.) recorded a double-double by scoring 11 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.  Tying Ploskunak for game-high rebounding totals was sophomore guard Annie Sral (Bishop Guilfoyle H.S.) who also added three points and three assists to her 11 rebounds.  Auld dished out eight assists to go with nine points while Arnold scored 12 points and collected five boards.

The Bobcats continued to have problems shooting the ball and connected on 37-percent from the floor and just under 63-percent from the charity stripe.

Fox was named to the All-Tournament Team for her 29-point and 10-rebound effort in two games.  She was also honorable mention for Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference Women’s Basketball Athlete of the Week.

The Bobcats open their regular season at home against Point Park College on Nov. 19.

The Bobcats competed in the Mount Union basketball tournament (Mount Union College- Alliance, Ohio) on Nov. 16 and 17 but came away with two losses.

In the first round, the Bobcats faced host Mount Union, who racked up 85 points in an 85-54 defeat of the Bobcats.  For UPG, freshman guard Nate Watkins (Schenley H.S.) scored 12 points to go with three rebounds and three assists.  Freshman guard Frank Barder (Souderton Area H.S.) was the only other Bobcats to score double figures, collecting 11 points.  Senior guard Jeff Fisher (Bethel Park H.S.) handed out three assists and grabbed four rebounds in the loss.

As a team, the Bobcats shot the ball poorly, they converted on just under 38-percent from the floor and 46-percent from the free-throw line.

In their consolation game of the tournament, the Bobcats held a 34-33 lead over Oliviet (Oliviet, Mi.) at halftime and led until the final two minutes of the game but couldn’t hang on, suffering a 69-65 defeat.

Watkins scored eight points and handed out four assists to go with eight rebounds, earning him a spot on the All-Tournament Team.  Sophomore Scott Winfrey led the Bobcats in scoring by putting in 13 points in the loss.  Freshman Kevin Conlon (Bellwood-Antis) scored 10 points and dished out four assists to go with a team-high seven rebounds while Fisher scored nine points and handed out four assists.  Junior Mike Dudek scored 13 points and collected five rebounds.

Watkins was honorable mention for AMCC Men’s Basketball Athlete of the Week.

The Bobcats travel to California University of Pennsylvania (California, Pa.) on Nov. 20.