Reading, Pa. – The Pitt-Bradford men's basketball team dropped its final contest of the Albright Tournament, 79-71, to tournament-host Albright College in the championship game on Monday, Dec. 30. The Panthers had two players selected to the Albright All-Tournament Team at the conclusion of play.

Sophomore guard Eric Matheson and junior guard Tyler Fantaskey each were selected to the all-tournament team, as voted on by the coaches. For the tournament, Matheson recorded 19 points, five rebounds and 11 assists. Fantaskey tallied a total of 28 points, nine rebounds and two assists, missing the double-double by just one rebound.

During the championship game, the Panthers had three players finish in double figures scoring. Matheson led the team with 15 points, three rebounds and one assist. Fantaskey and junior Keith Burgess each had 14 points. Fantaskey added three rebounds and one assist, while Burgess had five rebounds and one assist.

Pitt-Bradford (5-4, 1-1) opened the game with a surge of offensive production, holding the 7-6 lead for nearly the first four minutes of play. At that time, it became a chess match with each squad taking turns sinking shots.

With 11 minutes to go in the half, the Panthers took the lead and this time held it for the remainder of the half. Despite a tenacious offensive attack by Albright, Pitt-Bradford held its ground defensively and went into the locker room leading 39-38.

The Panthers finished the first period shooting 48.3 percent from the field, including 62.5 percent from behind the arc. Pitt-Bradford went 6-of-9 at the line.

The Lions shot 51.4 percent from the floor, including just 12.5 percent from the three-point line. Albright was also just 1-for-6 from behind the charity stripe.

Albright (5-5, 2-2) hit the floor running in the second half and quickly grabbed the lead, only to lose it three minutes later.

From that point on there were multiple lead changes, mostly taking place after each offensive possession.

The two teams had a total of five ties between the 12-minute mark and the four-minute mark of the second period.

With 3:52 remaining on the clock, the Lions took the lead and would maintain that hold for the remainder of the game. The Panthers only chance came with two minutes left to play when they cut the deficit to within two points.

Back-to-back missed layups and a costly turnover caused the Panthers to miss their shot at tying the game and putting themselves in position for the win.

The Lions gained control of the clock late and were able to rattle off several points to seal the win.

"That was a toss-up game and Albright made the one or two plays to get the win," said head coach Britt Moore. "All of our non-conference games get us ready for the league. We will be ready for next week."

The Panthers finished the night shooting 40.4 percent from the floor and 38.5 percent from the three-point line. They were 20-of-27 from the free throw line.

The Lions left the court shooting 47.1 percent from the field and just 17.1 percent from behind the arc. They were 12-of-21 from the free throw line.

Pitt-Bradford now turns its attention back to conference play as it travels to D'Youville on Saturday, Jan. 4, for a 1 p.m. tipoff.