Box Score
Despite A.J. Leahey and Issac Vescovi leading Pitt-Johnstown with 17 points each, Indiana University (Pa.) proved to be too much for the Mountain Cats, defeating them 86-74 in PSAC West Division action Wednesday in the Pitt-Johnstown Sports Center.
 
Leahey also contributed nine rebounds and two steals while Vescovi added six rebounds for Pitt-Johnstown, who fall to 9-6 overall and 6-5 in conference play with the loss.
 
Other big Mountain Cat contributors were Dale Clancy and Nate Snodgrass. Clancy tallied 13 points, six assists and four steals while Snodgrass had 11 points.
 
After Vescovi tied the game at five points with a three-pointer off of an assist from Clancy, Indiana scored 10 of the next 15 points to pull out to a 15-10 lead 4:23 into the game when CJ Rudisill made a layup.
 
When Vescovi contributed again, this time with a layup to cut Indiana's lead to three points, 15-12, the Crimson Hawks took control once again and built an even bigger lead after a 13-2 run that was capped off by two straight layups from Daddy Ugbede to put Indiana ahead 27-15 at the 11:17 first half mark.
 
IUP remained in control for the remainder of the first half. Their lead dropped no lower than 10 points heading into the second half. The team's lead at halftime was 45-34
 
Even though Pitt-Johnstown shooting 43% (12-for-28) from the field in the first half, Indiana outshined the Mountain Cats from the field, shooting 54% (20-for-37) and outrebounded Pitt-Johnstown, 21-13.
 
It wasn't much different in the second half. By the 15:44 mark, Crimson Hawks got out to a 52-38 advantage after a steal and dunk by Brandon Norfleet. After a three-pointer from Clancy at the 14:42, Indiana scored five straight points to get out to a 57-41 after a layup from Jacobo Diaz with 14:01 left in the game.
 
The Mountain Cats attempted to storm back with a 9-0 run to cut the Crimson Hawk's advantage to seven points when Snodgrass hit a jumper after a defensive rebound by Vescovi. The momentum went in IUP's favor once again, however, when the team went on a 9-1 run after being up 59-52, to widen their lead to 68-53.
 
The run was capped off by another Norfleet layup with 8:48 remaining in the game. The Mountain Cats could not get any closer than nine points from the lead the rest of the game as Indiana shot for 57% (4-for-7) from beyond the arc and 90% (9-for-10) from the free throw line in the second half while Pitt-Johnstown shot just 23% (3-for-13) from three-point range.
 
Indiana's biggest lead of the game came with 1:01 remaining when Norfleet drained a layup in the paint give the Crimson Hawks an 86-69 advantage. The Mountain Cats were to score the last five points of the game, but to only cut the lead to 12 points.
 
Norfleet produced a game-high 31 points while Ugbede finished with 18 points and six rebounds for Indiana, whoe advance to 12-5 overall and 9-3 in conference play with the victory.
 
The Mountain Cats are to travel to Edinboro University to play the Fighting Scots Saturday at 3 p.m. in a doubleheader with the Mountain Cats. The team's next home game is scheduled for Jan. 23 at 3 p.m. against Clarion University in a doubleheader with the Lady Cats.