Pitt-Johnstown overcame a rusty opening period by dominating the rest of the way to secure a season-opening 81-60 victory over Salem (WV) in the Frostburg State Jim Crawley Conference Challenge on Friday afternoon.

Senior guard Peyton Alazaus netted a game-high 22 points, which included a 5-of-7 performance from 3-point range to pair with a game-high nine rebounds and two steals. Cassidy Crawford provided 14 points, six rebounds and four assists.

Hayden Taylor drilled four 3-pointers and added 14 points, while Olivia Fasick had 10 points to go along with four rebounds and four assists.

After playing to a 16-all tie after one, the Mountain Cats began to create some separation in the latter stages of the first half.

A three from Crawford provided Pitt-Johnstown with a 21-20 advantage and sparked a game-changing 17-0 rally. Kylah Franklin capped the run with a layup to make it 35-20 with just 47 seconds left in the half. Franklin finished with eight points, two rebounds and two assists in 22 minutes off the bench.

A pair of free throws by Taylor pushed the lead to 49-34 before freshman Belle Bosch notched her first career point on a made free throw at the 3:28 mark of the third quarter to give the Mountain Cats their largest lead to that point at 50-34.

Back-to-back threes by Fasick and Taylor upped the lead to 56-37, putting the game out of reach before the fourth quarter began.

The Mountain Cats made at least three 3-pointers in every period and finished an impressive 13-of-23 (56.5%) from deep. That accuracy carried over to the free throw line where they converted 18-of-25 attempts.

On the defensive end, they limited the Tigers to just a 34.4% shooting from the field and turned 16 turnovers into 22 points.

Pitt-Johnstown battles Frostburg State on Saturday at 3 p.m. in the final game of the tournament before opening its home slate against Malone (OH) in a non-conference matchup on Wednesday with tip-off set for 7:30 p.m.