The Pitt-Johnstown women's basketball team fell to No. 15 California (Pa.) Vulcans, 63-49, Wednesday night at the Pitt-Johnstown Sports Center. The Mountain Cats slipped to 8-8 overall and 4-5 in the PSAC West. The Vulcans improved to 14-1 overall and 8-1 in conference.

Gabrielle Smith led the Mountain Cats with 23-points on 10-for-15 from the field and a perfect 3-for-3 from the free-throw line.

Pitt-Johnstown opened an early 9-4 lead with 6:16 remaining in the first quarter, after two-straight layups from Smith. With 2:54 left in the first quarter, Seairra Barrett scored to give California (Pa.) the 11-9 lead.

The Mountain Cats tied it at 17, when Tori Moreland found a cutting Maddie Shanahan for a layup. Barrett's jumper with 2:04 left in the first half gave the Vulcans a 30-25 lead.

Pitt-Johnstown pulled within one point, 36-35, on a Shanahan layup with 5:59 left in the third quarter. The Vulcans closed the quarter on a 6-1 run to open a 42-36 lead heading to the fourth quarter.

 Alexis Hartwick found Shanahan for a layup and after a Nicole Olkosky offensive rebound and put back the Mountain Cats cut the Vulcans lead to, 42-40, with 8:13 left. The Vulcans extended their lead on a 13-3 run capped off by Abbey Sporio's layup with 4:01 left in the game.

The Mountain Cats answered with a mini 6-0 run, to make it 55-49, with 2:15 left in the game. Gina Vallecorsa iced the game away for the Vulcans when she knocked down a 3-pointer with 1:13 left in the game.

After Smith's 23 points, the Mountain Cats were led by Alli McGrath's seven points and Shanahan's six points. Olkosky led the Mountain Cats grabbing 13 rebounds.

California (Pa.) was led by Barrett's 18-points and Jiahna Flood-Francis who chipped in 14.

The Mountain Cats return to action Saturday when they travel to Erie, Pa. when they take on Mercyhurst University, before traveling to Slippery Rock Wednesday night.