AMHERST, N.Y. – Sophomore guard Kelly Johnson (Pittsburgh, Pa.) totaled 20 points, six rebounds, five assists and five steals to lead Point Park University to an 85-72 victory over Daemen College here today in non-conference women's basketball action.
 
It marked the 2014-15 home-opener for Daemen, which is now 0-2 on the year. Point Park, which is ranked 24^th nationally in the latest NAIA Division II poll, ran its winning streak to three-straight games and improved to 7-1.
 
Freshman Sarah Saba (Lancaster, N.Y./Lancaster) made her first career start for Daemen and established career-highs for points (21), rebounds (10) and blocks (3).  Sophomore Natalie Galus (Hamburg, N.Y./Frontier) contributed 12 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks for the Wildcats. Galus has now recorded at least one blocked shot in 19-straight games dating back to last season. Freshman Liz Miles (Cicero, N.Y./Cicero North Syracuse) had a solid game off the bench, as she added seven points and six boards in 13 minutes.
 
Sophomore Carly Forse (Pittsburgh, Pa.) totaled 14 points and 13 rebounds for PPU, while junior Alexis Xenakis (Pittsburgh, Pa.) drilled three three-pointers and totaled 13 points in just 14 minutes off the bench.
 
Point Park held a 23-21 lead midway through the first half when a three-pointer by senior Natasha Moss (Indianapolis, Ind.) sparked the Pioneers on a 12-4 run. A triple by sophomore Celina DiPietro (Pittsburgh, Pa.) capped the run and gave PPU a 35-25 lead with 7:40 left before halftime. Daemen answered with a 16-5 run over the next four minutes. Saba scored the first 11 points of the run and a fast break layup by Galus with 3:30 left before the break capped the run and gave the Wildcats a 41-40 lead. Daemen later took its largest lead of the half, 49-42, following a putback by Galus with just under two minutes left before the break. PPU scored the final five points of the half and Daemen took a 49-47 lead into halftime.
 
Daemen held a 65-61 lead midway through the second half, when the Pioneers took control with an 18-6 run. A baseline jumper by Moss with just over five minutes left capped the rally and gave the visitors a 79-71 lead. Daemen managed just one free throw the rest of the way.
 
Daemen shot just 28-percent (8-for-29) from the field in the second half and finished 38-percent (26-68) from the field overall. PPU connected on 48-percent (20-42) of its shots in the first half and finished 40-percent (33-83) from the field overall. Daemen posted a 52-45 edge in rebounds, and the Pioneers posted a 40-34 edge in points in the paint. Turnovers were also a key stat in the game. Daemen turned the ball over 21 times, compared to just nine for PPU. The Pioneers finished with a 26-6 edge in points off turnovers.
 
Daemen is idle until Dec. 12 when it opens East Coast Conference play by hosting Molloy College.
 
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