Pitt-Johnstown led by double digits for large stretches of the second half before holding on late to secure a much-needed 68-65 victory over Clarion on Saturday afternoon at Tippin Gymnasium.

The Mountain Cats carved out a 14-point cushion with a little more than 12 minutes remaining that helped push them over the finish line and an 8-8 (4-5 PSAC) record.

Ryan Smith drilled four triples and racked up a team-high 20 points. He also compiled seven rebounds, two assists and a pair of steals. Adam Bilinksy supplied 16 points and a pair of blocks. Sophomore Vinnie Cugini went 6-of-8 at the free throw line and added 10 points.

An early 15-8 deficit was quickly erased thanks to four points apiece from Nick Watts and Will Kromka. Bilinksy capped off that 13-3 run that put the Mountain Cats on top 21-18. Smith's jumper with 41 seconds left in the first half afforded Pitt-Johnstown a 29-26 advantage heading into the locker room.

Up 42-34 a little more than five minutes into the second half, Baden Forup polished off a 6-0 rally with two free throws that created the largest lead of the game for the Mountain Cats.

That lead was reduced to three with less than seven minutes to go, but Smith responded with a huge 3-pointer that pushed the margin back to six at the 6:37 mark. Cugini scored the final five points of the game for the Mountain Cats to help them hang on.

The Mountain Cats finished 42.3% (22-of-52) from the field and limited the Golden Eagles to just a 36.4% mark (24-of-66). Each team knocked in six 3-pointers apiece.

Cam Kearney provided a team-high 20 points for Clarion, which fell to 8-7 (3-6 PSAC).

Pitt-Johnstown will visit IUP on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in the second game of a doubleheader with the women's team.