Kylah Franklin scored 17 points and
Peyton Alazaus collected a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds to lead six Pitt-Johnstown double-figure scorers in an 84-71 victory over Alderson Broaddus (WV) University in Saturday's final round of the Frostburg State Jim Crawley Conference Challenge.
Along with Franklin's 17 points, including 7-10 from the charity stripe, and Alazaus' double-double, the Mountain Cats also got a dozen points and four assists from
Olivia Fasick, and 11 points, five rebounds, and four assists from
Ashley Norling.
Pitt-Johnstown, which outscored the Battlers 29-11 in bench scoring, got 10 points and six rebounds from
Cassidy Crawford, and 10 points and four rebounds from
Hayden Taylor, who both sparked the Mountain Cats coming off the bench.
Alderson Broaddus held the lead much of the first half and led by a bucket after one quarter and 41-37 at the break.
However, Pitt-Johnstown, now 2-0 after defeating Frostburg State in Friday's opening round, took control and outscored the Battlers 47-30 in the second half to pull away.
Makalyn Clapper, who also chipped-in nine points, four rebounds, and three steals, gave Pitt-Johnstown a one-point lead with 2:40 remaining in the third period, before Taylor's 3-pointer as time expired in the quarter capped a 12-7 spurt to put the Mountain Cats on top 64-58.
It was all Pitt-Johnstown in the fourth quarter. The Mountain Cats built the lead to 18 on Crawford's layup with 5:34 to play and Pitt-Johnstown never let the Battlers get closer the 13 the rest of the way.
Pitt-Johnstown shot 50.7% (34-67) from the floor, while holding Alderson to 46.3% (25-54). The Mountain Cats also outscored the Battlers, 52-34, in the paint and turned 21 Alderson Broaddus turnovers into 22 points.
Lyahnna Williams' game-high 21 points and six rebounds, and Amil Mitchell's 18 points paced the Battlers, now 1-1 to start the year.
The Mountain Cats travel to Division I Binghamton (NY) for an exhibition game on Wednesday and to Malone (OH) University on Saturday, before making their 2022-23 home debut in the Sports Center against Salem (WV) University on Nov. 22 at 5:30 p.m.
