Clarion University outscored the Pitt-Johnstown women's basketball team 15-9 in overtime Saturday afternoon to escape with an 81-75 victory in a PSAC West matchup at the Sports Center.

Pitt-Johnstown (4-9 overall, 2-5 in the PSAC) had taken a 66-64 lead with three seconds left in regulation on forward Ashley Norling's layup. But Clarion guard Sierra Bermudez nailed a 10-foot jumper at the buzzer to force the five-minute overtime period. 

The Golden Eagles (3-11, 2-7 PSAC) snapped a seven-game losing streak with their first win since Dec. 3. 

Pitt-Johnstown shot 35.1% from the field (27 of 77) and 33.3 percent (18 of 24) from 3-point range. Clarion shot 48.1% (25 of 52) overall and 47.4% (9 of 19) from behind the arc.

The Mountain Cats, who have dropped five of their past six games, were playing their first game in 10 days and just their third since Dec. 19 because of the holiday break and three postponements resulting from COVID issues.

Guard Peyton Alazaus led the Mountain Cats with 20 points, including six 3-pointers. She scored 12 of her points in the second half, when Pitt-Johnstown outscored Clarion, 46-33. Norling and guard Makalyn Clapper had 13 points each, with Clapper also collecting nine rebounds and four steals. Guard Hayden Taylor added 10 points off the bench, making 4 of 6 shots.

Guard Cory Santoro was one of five Golden Eagles in double figures with 19 points. Bermudez contributed 15 points as the duo combined to make 11 of 20 shots, including five 3-pointers. 

Pitt-Johnstown trailed by 15 points in the first half and were 13 early in the second. But the Mountain Cats used a 13-0 run and a 26-7 third-quarter edge to take their first lead at 40-38, on guard Kendyl McKissock's layup with 2:55 remaining in the third quarter.

In the first half, Clarion hit its first seven shots and 12 of its first 16 to build an early 13-0 lead which turned into a 33-20 advantage at the intermission.

The Mountain Cats will meet Edinboro University at 1 p.m. Monday in a PSAC West game at the Sports Center. The men follow at 3 p.m. in the makeup doubleheader originally scheduled for Jan. 10.