Olivia Fasick recorded a game-high 18 points and three steals, and Pitt-Johnstown enjoyed one of its most lopsided opening quarters before methodically pulling away for a comfortable 67-46 victory over Mercyhurst on Saturday afternoon in the Sports Center.

The Mountain Cats limited the Lakers to just 12 combined points in the first and third quarters to split the regular-season series and improve to 13-8 overall and 8-7 in the PSAC West. 

Hayden Taylor connected on three of Pitt-Johnstown's seven 3-pointers and finished with 15 points and four assists. In her second start of the season, Lexi Margolis posted 11 points on 50% shooting and grabbed seven rebounds. Cassidy Crawford chipped in nine points, seven rebounds, and five assists.

After the Lakers opened the scoring 14 seconds into the game, the Mountain Cats never trailed again after an 11-0 run to seize control was capped by a layup from Crawford. They forced eight turnovers and allowed only one field goal over the final nine-plus minutes. That defensive display was complemented by an 8-0 rally to go up 19-4 after one.

Pitt-Johnstown coaxed Mercyhurst into 22 turnovers and racked up 25 points off those miscues. The Mountain Cats were also dominant on the interior with a 34-30 advantage on the glass and a 34-22 edge in points in the paint.

Mercyhurst crawled to within seven late in the first half, but Pitt-Johnstown notched the next four points and took a 34-25 lead into the break. The Mountain Cats shot 45.6% (26 of 57) and were 33% (7 of 21) from long-distance.

Up 11 near the midway point of the third, an and-one layup and 3-pointer from Taylor bookended a 9-0 rally that put the Mountain Cats in front 47-29. Margolis drilled a triple with 25 seconds remaining to close out an 18-8 third quarter scoring advantage that made it 52-33 heading into the fourth.

Julia Buchman and Allyson Ross each provided a team-high 14 points for the Lakers, who slipped to 14-7 (10-5 PSAC).

Pitt-Johnstown visits Clarion on Wednesday for a 5:30 p.m. tip-off.