NEW WILMINGTON – Pitt-Bradford put five players in double
figures en route to an 86-82 win over Westminster in non-conference
men’s basketball Tuesday night.

The win was the first of the season for the Panthers (1-2).

Ryan Race (18 points), Dan Thomas (15), Shawn Spindler (12),
Mark Austin (12) and Mike Ridge (11) paced the winners.

“We started Shawn Spindler and he responded well,” UPB coach
Andy Moore said. “We had a much better team effort. Our intensity
level was much better than it was Saturday.

“We had a good practice Monday. We watched tape of the Brockport
game. We saw how sloppy we were in that game.”

The Panthers opened a 14-point lead – 61-47 – at the 11:00 mark
of the second half. Westminster (0-3) rallied to knot the contest
at 74-74 with 2:30 left.

A three-point field goal by Spindler with 1:30 left gave the
Panthers a 77-74 advantage, one they would never relinquish.

“It went back and forth down the stretch,” Moore emphasized.

Leading Westminster was Brian Hannon (23 points).

“It’s good to get a win after a poor start,” Moore declared. “We
lost Joe Coppola on Thursday (torn ACL). He is out for the season.
He was a good player. That set us back.

“Race missed the majority of the preseason with an ankle injury.
He played much better tonight. We have a lot of depth. It’s great
to get a win. We made the plays at the end to win – now we have to
keep working.”

The Panthers host Elmira, N.Y., at 7 p.m. Monday.