Despite battling back to make it a one possession game on three separate occasions in the final two minutes, Pitt-Johnstown couldn't string enough points together to complete a comeback in an 80-77 loss to Slippery Rock on Saturday afternoon at the Sports Center.

Each team held a lead as large as 14, but only the Rock could make it stand up as the Mountain Cats slipped to 5-12 (3-8 PSAC).

Andy Zuchelli matched his career-high by hitting six 3-pointers and finishing 9 for 15 from the field for a game-high 26 points. He played all 40 minutes and tallied five boards and three assists. Ryan Smith also enjoyed an efficient afternoon after recording 20 points, seven assists, six rebounds and three steals.

Freshman Gavin Headings added 11 points and eight rebounds, while Nick Watts chipped in seven points off the bench.

Slippery Rock led 75-67 with 3:23 remaining before Zuchelli single handedly began breathing life into a possible comeback. He scored eight of Pitt-Johnstown's final 10 points, including a pair of free throws and a clutch 3-pointer on back-to-back possessions to trim the deficit to 75-72.

Maceo Austin responded with a layup out of a timeout to put the Rock back up by five before Elijah Sechler knocked down a jumper that made it 77-74 with 47 seconds left. A steal by Smith led to another triple by Zuchelli that brought the Mountain Cats to within 79-77, however, Lashon Lindsey drained the first free throw and missed the second to run out the clock and seal it.

The Mountain Cats finished with a 49.2% (31 of 63) mark from the floor. They had a slim 33-31 rebounding advantage and forced 14 Slippery Rock turnovers that amounted to 21 points. Points in the paint were even at 36-all.

Pitt-Johnstown went up 31-17 on a jumper from Watts with less than eight minutes left in the first half. It went into the break on top 40-35.

Jomo Goings stacked up a team-high 23 points for Slippery Rock, which improved to 7-9 (5-5 PSAC).

Pitt-Johnstown visits California (Pa.) on Wednesday for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off.