Despite a valiant second half effort, Pitt-Johnstown could not overcome a lackluster start in an 84-64 setback to Slippery Rock on Saturday afternoon at the Sports Center.

The Mountain Cats slipped to 11-13 (7-10 PSAC).

Freshman Jay Rose strung together team-highs of 19 points and eight rebounds. Baden Forup provided 16 points and five boards. Adam Bilinsky chipped in nine points.

Slippery Rock went on a 10-0 burst within the first two minutes and never looked back. Sean Dillon connected on a jumper to break up the run, but the Mountain Cats slipped into a 16-2 hole less than four minutes in.

It never got any easier from that point on as Pitt-Johnstown found itself down 33-11 following a 3-pointer from Slippery Rock's Maceo Austin with less than eight minutes to play in the first half.

That margin remained the same heading into the break, with the Mountain Cats down 45-23.

Rose brought the Mountain Cats to within 15 on a layup with less than six minutes remaining, but they never got any closer despite outpacing the Rock 41-39 over the final 20 minutes.

Austin provided a game-high 26 points and Jomo Goings scored 25 for the Rock, which improved to 12-13 (8-9 PSAC).

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