Pitt-Johnstown couldn't have asked for a better start, but eventually succumbed to a late comeback by Mercyhurst in a 61-53 setback in the PSAC West opener for both teams on Saturday afternoon at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center.

The Mountain Cats slipped to 9-4 (4-3 PSAC). The Lakers won their 11 consecutive game to move to 11-2 (7-0 PSAC).

Senior forward Cassidy Crawford went 9 for 16 from the field and finished with a game-high 22 points and seven rebounds after playing all 40 minutes. Kylah Franklin provided 11 points and five rebounds off the bench.

Peyton Alazaus added 11 points, while Olivia Fasick contributed nine points and eight rebounds.

Crawford's conventional 3-point play put the Mountain Cats in front 45-41 with just 36 seconds remaining in the third quarter. The Lakers responded with a 6-1 run in the first two minutes of the fourth quarter to take a 47-46 lead, their first of the game.

A pair of free throws by Alazaus and another from Franklin at the 5:18 mark tied the game at 51-all. But unfortunately for Pitt-Johnstown, it never could seize control again as Mercyhurst ended the game on a 10-2 run. The only points the Mountain Cats mustered in the final five minutes came on two free throws by Alazaus with 26 seconds left.

Pitt-Johnstown was limited to just a 33.3% (17 of 51) clip from the field and a 2 for 18 mark from 3-point range. Mercyhurst finished 21 of 46 (45.7%) after going just 1 for 11 in the opening quarter.

The Mountain Cats began the game on an imposing 12-0 rally that was capped by two free throws from Franklin. The Lakers scratched the scoreboard with 2:49 remaining in the first, but the Mountain Cats led 16-4 after one and went into the break up 29-19.

Danielle Grim and Bailey Kuhns each dropped 16 points to pace the Lakers.

The Mountain Cats return to the Sports Center when they host Clarion on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.