Pitt-Johnstown went shot-for-shot with No. 2 Gannon for the vast majority of the first half, but a late surge by the Golden Knights swung the momentum for good and sent the Mountain Cats to a 73-58 setback during Winterfest Weekend on Saturday afternoon in the Sports Center.

The Mountain Cats tied the game on seven occasions in the first 20 minutes before playing the entire second half from behind and slipping to 12-7 overall (7-6 PSAC).

The senior backcourt duo of Peyton Alazaus and Olivia Fasick each accounted for a team-high 11 points on a tough day where Pitt-Johnstown was limited to just a 31.3% (15 of 48) mark from the field and a 29.2% (7 of 24) clip from 3-point range. Hayden Taylor added 10 points and three rebounds. 

Cassidy Crawford contributed eight points, four rebounds, and three assists. Pitt-Johnstown held a 33-28 rebounding advantage, but was outscored 24-14 in the paint.

The Mountain Cats hit 21 of 27 attempts from the free-throw line, but the Golden Knights counteracted it with a 20 for 27 performance. The real difference for Gannon came from behind the arc where it shot 9 of 17 (52.9%) overall, including three makes apiece in the second and third quarters.

Both teams struggled from the perimeter in the first. Two free throws in the waning seconds from Krista Troyer knotted the game at 12-all heading to the second.

Despite several golden opportunities to take the lead, the Mountain Cats were turned away each time. Alazaus tied the game for the final time at 25-all with three consecutive free throws after being fouled while attempting a 3-pointer with 2:07 remaining in the half.

The Golden Knights strung together a game-altering 9-0 run in the final two minutes of the half punctuated by a 3-pointer from Carissa Dunham with just two seconds left. Gannon led by as many as 21 midway through the fourth quarter as it improved to 21-1 overall and 13-0 in the PSAC.

Graduate student Samantha Pirosko went 9 for 11 from the free-throw line and racked up a game-high 24 points to pair with five rebounds and four assists for the Golden Knights. 

Pitt-Johnstown travels to Seton Hill on Monday for a 5:30 p.m. tip-off.