Belle Bosch had 12 points and six rebounds to help Pitt-Johnstown get to within seven in the third quarter, but Gannon, ranked 12^th in the D2CSC National Poll and 15^th in the Coaches Poll, was able to pull away for a 66-41 PSAC victory over the Mountain Cats, Wednesday evening at the Highmark Events Center in Erie.  Pitt-Johnstown fell to 2-17 overall and 0-12 in the PSAC.
 
Along with Bosch, who hit 6 of her 12 shots, Riley Childress had 10 points, five rebounds, and game-high four assists for Pitt-Johnstown.  Hayden Keith scored five points off the bench, and M'laya Ainsworth had four points and matched her career-high with nine rebounds.
 
Pitt-Johnstown got off to a slow start, hitting just of its first 13 shots, to fall behind,14-2, after one quarter on Jordan Popyk's late basket in the paint.
 
The Mountain Cats picked it up and shot 47.6% in the second quarter to narrow the gap to nine on three occasions, with the last coming on a Bosch jumper at the 2:35 mark.  The Golden Knights answered to outscore Pitt-Johnstown, 7-2, down the stretch and used Kate Ratliff's bucket as time expired to take a 31-17 halftime advantage.
 
Pitt-Johnstown continued to battle and cut it to 33-26 midway through the third quarter with a 9-0 run, capped by Keith's 2-pointer and a free-throw from Childress.  However, Gannon regained controlled and outscored the Mountain Cats, 16-6 over the final 5:27 to extend the lead to 49-32 on Maddy Wheatley's layup and a pair of free-throws from Trinitee Harris.
 
The Golden Knights wouldn't let the Mountain Cats get any closer and maintained a double-digit lead throughout the fourth quarter on their way to the victory.
 
Despite the strong second quarter, Pitt-Johnstown wasn't able to overcome 29.4% shooting, including just 3-19 from 3-point range.  Gannon went 23-58 from the field and 4-17 from behind the arc to finish at 39.7%.  The Mountain Cats were 8-12 from the free-throw line, and the Golden Knights were 16-24.
 
Wheatley's game-highs of 16 points and 12 rebounds led three Golden Knights who scored in double figures.  Bri Claxon had 13 points and five rebounds, and Harris tallied 11 points for Gannon, now 17-3 overall and 9-2 in the PSAC.
 
The Mountain Cats return home to host PSAC doubleheaders with the men's team against Seton Hill on Jan. 29 and Clarion on Feb. 5.  Both doubleheaders are scheduled for 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. in the Sports Center.