Pitt-Johnstown endured a difficult stretch in the final few minutes of the first half, setting the stage for an uphill battle that eventually culminated in a 94-70 loss to Clarion on Wednesday night at Tippin Gymnasium. The Mountain Cats fell to 5-17 overall and 3-13 in PSAC play.

Andy Zuchelli nailed six 3-pointers for the third time this season and finished with 27 points, eight rebounds and four assists. The junior guard also hit six triples in the first meeting with Clarion on Jan. 10 and against Slippery Rock on Jan. 20.

Freshman Vinnie Cugini added 15 points on an efficient 7-for-10 from the floor. Fellow freshman Gavin Headings contributed 10 points and grabbed six rebounds, while Nick Watts provided nine points and a pair of steals.

The Mountain Cats trailed 32-27 before Will Kromka went on a personal 5-0 run that included an old-fashioned three-point play to tie the game at 32-all. The Golden Eagles answered by closing the half on a 10-2 run thanks to four points apiece from Jeremy Thomas II and Cam Kearny that placed the Mountain Cats in a 42-34 deficit at the break.

Clarion did not look back after pushing the lead to double digits on Steve Kelly's three-point play less than two minutes into the second half. Zuchelli's 3-pointer trimmed the deficit to 52-46, but Pitt-Johnstown could not scratch any closer the rest of the way despite a 12-1 rally that made it a 7-point game with less than seven minutes to play.

Pitt-Johnstown ultimately could not overcome a 44-30 disparity on the glass and 15 turnovers that amounted to 22 points for Clarion. Despite the Mountain Cats shooting a marginal 44.6% (25 of 56) from the field, including 36.8% from long-range (7 of 19), they were decisively outscored in the paint by a 52-32 margin.

Thomas II had a team-leading 26 points and nine rebounds for Clarion, which improved to 7-15 overall (5-11 PSAC). Kearny chipped in 20 points.

Pitt-Johnstown tangles with Edinboro on Saturday in a 3 p.m. tip-off from the Sports Center.