Peyton Alazaus spearheaded a quartet of double-digit scorers with a game-high 16 points, nine rebounds and five assists as Pitt-Johnstown climbed back into the win column with a 62-42 dismantling of IUP on Saturday afternoon at the Sports Center.

The Mountain Cats improved to 9-6 (6-3 PSAC) largely because of their play on the defensive end, forcing a season-high 24 turnovers and limiting the Crimson Hawks to their lowest point total of the season.

Ashley Norling compiled 15 points, five rebounds and two blocks as Pitt-Johnstown won for the fifth time in its last seven games. Olivia Fasick racked up 14 points, six rebounds and four steals.

Hayden Taylor chipped in 10 points for Pitt-Johnstown. Molly Wagoner was ultra productive in her 11 minutes with a game-high four blocks and five boards. 

Pitt-Johnstown turned what was just a five-point lead early on in the second half into a rout with a dominating fourth quarter where they outscored IUP 20-9.

After the Crimson Hawks hit a three to cut the Mountain Cats' advantage to six with 5:19 to play in the third quarter, Pitt-Johnstown answered with a prolonged 16-2 run over the next eight-plus minutes to stake out a 55-33 lead.

The Mountain Cats upped their lead to as large as 23 after Fasick put the exclamation point on with a triple at the 3:44 mark of the fourth. The Cats shot 7 of 14 from the field in the fourth and held the Crimson Hawks to just a 25% (4 of 16) clip.

Following a first quarter where they shot just 26.7% from the floor, the Mountain Cats flipped the script in the second by shooting 58.3% (7 for 12). Their efficient shooting helped them outscore the Crimson Hawks 19-9 in the second. Alazaus scored five points in the final two minutes to power Pitt-Johnstown to a 30-23 lead at the break.

Pitt-Johnstown had a 28-22 advantage in points in the paint and finished 14 of 17 from the free throw line.

Guard Kiera Baughman scored a team-high 12 points and three assists for IUP, which fell to 11-3 (6-3 PSAC).