Pitt-Johnstown was knocked down early on and could never find enough footing to bounce back in an 86-71 loss to nationally ranked California (Pa.) on Wednesday night at the Sports Center.

The Mountain Cats slipped to 6-20, 4-16 in the PSAC. The Vulcans, who checked in at No. 9 in the latest NABC Coaches Poll and No. 13 in the College Administrators Poll, improved to 22-3 overall and 16-3 in the PSAC.

Freshman Vinnie Cugini led the way with a team-high 16 points to pair with five rebounds. Fellow freshman Gavin Headings added 14 points and snared six rebounds. Andy Zuchelli contributed 12 points and seven boards, while Will Kromka provided 10 points, four rebounds and four assists.

Cal methodically notched the first 11 points of the game before Elijah Sechler's layup put Pitt-Johnstown on the board at the 14:04 mark. 

Despite a layup from Cugini that cut the deficit to 20-13, the Vulcans promptly responded with a 9-0 run capped by Zyan Collins' layup that made it 29-13 with less than nine minutes remaining in the half. Another layup from Collins in transition with just two seconds left put the Mountain Cats in an unfavorable 50-26 hole heading into the locker room.

The Mountain Cats committed 10 turnovers and were 37.9% from the field in the first half before finishing with a 42.2% mark (27-for-64). The Vulcans shot a blazing 60% clip from the floor and compiled a 19-13 rebounding edge over the initial 20 minutes.

Bryson Lucas provided a game-high 19 points and nine rebounds for Cal, which took a significant step toward locking up a top two seed in the West in the upcoming PSAC Tournament.

Pitt-Johnstown makes the trip to nationally ranked Gannon on Sunday for a 3 p.m. tip-off in the final road game of the season.