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University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown Athletics

PITT-JOHNSTOWN MOUNTAIN CATS

Men's Basketball

Mountain Cat Basketball Falls, 75-67, in Opening Round of 2005 Pitt-Johnstown Tip-Off Classic

11/18/2005

Sophomore forward Chris Gilliam (Baltimore, MD) scored 21 points and pulled down 11 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to lead Pitt-Johnstown to a victory over West Liberty State College in Friday night's first round of the 2005 Pitt-Johnstown Tip-Off Classic. The Hilltoppers defeated the Mountain Cats, 75-67, in a game that featured 15 lead changes and seven ties. Pitt-Johnstown is now 0-2 on the season.
For the second straight game, Gilliam led Pitt-Johnstown in scoring. This time, his 21 points came on 8-11 shooting from the field and 5-8 from the free-throw line. Senior guard Steve Scorpion (Murrysville, Pa.) finished with 18 points, six rebounds and four assists, while red-shirt freshman forward Marcus Tullis (Johnstown, Pa.) scored five points and grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds. Junior guard J.J. Schumacher (Castle Shannon, Pa.) chipped in seven points and five assists. Head Coach Bob Rukavina also got solid production from his bench. Red-shirt freshman forward Kyle Goldcamp (Pittsburgh, Pa.) rounded out the Mountain Cats who scored in double figures with 10 points and five rebounds, and red-shirt freshman guard William Sharpe (Johnstown, Pa.) scored five points, had six rebounds and dished out five assists.
After trailing 39-36 at halftime, Pitt-Johnstown clawed back to build a seven point lead with 12:11 to play in the game. However, West Liberty State regained the lead, 60-59, at the 8:23 mark. The teams battled back-and-forth until the Hilltoppers took the lead for good, 68-67, with 2:31 on the clock. West Liberty State went on added another basket and made five free-throws to seal the victory.
Shane Maynard's 18 points and four rebounds led the Hilltoppers. Matt Poole (17 points, 5 rebounds), Dan Biggeli (12 points, 9 rebounds) and Chris Banal (11 points, 5 rebounds) also scored in double figures for West Liberty State. With the victory, the Hilltoppers improved to 2-0 on the season.
In Friday's opening game, Columbia Union (MD) College held off a late rally to defeat the University of District of Columbia, 72-70. Columbia Union jumped out to a 44-29 halftime lead behind seven three pointers and 25 points from Glenroy Palmer. The Pioneers increased the lead to 23 points with 15:59 to play in the game, before the Firebirds began to make their comeback. U.D.C. had a chance to tie the game with under 10 seconds to play, but a jump shot rimmed-off and Columbia Union secured the rebound. Palmer's game-high 27 points and eight rebounds led the Pioneers. Bruce Edwards (17 points) and Michael Belmes (13 points) also scored in double figures, while Corey Blythe grabbed a team-high 12 rebounds. Donnell Ellis' 23 points and game-high 15 rebounds led U.D.C., while Jumaane Sorrells had 18 points and 10 rebounds, and Brian Isabelle added 12 points and nine rebounds in a losing cause. With the victory, Columbia Union improved to 2-0. The Firebirds fell to 0-1.
Pitt-Johnstown will wrap up the 2005 Pitt-Johnstown Tip-Off Classic with two games on Saturday. Columbia Union will play West Liberty State at 5:30 p.m., before Pitt-Johnstown takes on U.D.C. at 7:30 p.m.
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